P  E  I  R  C  E'S 

STATISTICS  OF  THE  WEATHER, 

&c.,   &c. 


METEOROLOGICAL    ACCOUNT 


WEATHER 


IK 


PHILADELPHIA, 

FROM 

JANUARY    1,  1790,    TO  JANUARY    1,    1847, 

INCLUDING  FIFTY-SEVEN  YEARS  ; 
WITH 

AN    APPENDIX, 


CONTAINING  A  GREAT  VARIETY  OF  INTERESTING  INFORMATION, 
FOR  WHICH,  SEE  TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


BY  CHARLES  PEIRCE.    • 


PHILADELPHIA : 
LINDSAY    &    BLAKISTON, 

N.  W.  CORNER  OF  FOURTH  AND  CHESTNUT  STREETS. 

1847. 


i  o  i 


Entered  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1847,  by 
CHARLES  PEIRCE,  in  the  Clerk's  office  of  the  District  Court  of 
the  Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania. 


PREFACE. 


AT  the  friendly  solicitations  of  a  very  considerable  num- 
ber of  highly  respectable  citizens  of  Philadelphia,  who  were 
aware  that  I  had  kept  a  regular  account  of  the  weather,  for 
a  longer  period  of  time,  than,  perhaps,  any  other  person  now 
living ;  I  have  concluded  to  give  an  Epitome  of  my  nume- 
rous meteorological  observations  and  records  of  the  wea- 
ther, comprising  fifty-seven  years,  commencing  with  Janu- 
ary, 1790,  to  January,  1847,  giving  a  comprehensive 
review  of  each  month  during  this  long  period.  I  did  not 
keep  a  regular  account  myself  until  1793,  but  a  friend  of 
mine  who  did,  gave  me  his  record  from  January  1,  1790, 
to  1793.  At  the  time  I  commenced  my  record,  I  resided 
in  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  where  I  continued  until  1313,  when 
1  removed  to  Philadelphia,  and  have  ever  since  resided 
either  in  the  city  or  county.  After  I  removed  hither,  I  was 
favoured  with  the  loan  of  several  records,  kept  by  scientific 
gentlemen  of  this  city,  also  a  record  kept  at  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Hospital,  whereby  I  was  enabled  to  correct  my  New 
England  Journal,  according  to  the  records  kept  here.  I 
have  also  been  favoured  with  access  to  records  in  the  Philo- 
sophical, the  Franklin,  and  the  Athenaeum  Libraries.  From 
all  of  these  valuable  institutions  I  have  taken  many  notes, 
which  I  have  introduced  into  an  appendix,  with  other  in- 
teresting articles.  I  cannot  omit  to  mention  with  gratitude 
my  obligations  to  Dr.  John  Redman  Coxe,  who  kindly 
loaned  me  a  meteorological  journal,  that  he  had  kept  for  a 
series  of  years,  commencing  with  1798,  which  I  found  very 
serviceable  in  aiding  me  to  correct  my  record  to  this  lati- 
tude. 

I  have  always  been  careful,  when  business  has  called  me 
from  home,  to  employ  a  competent  person  to  keep  my  jour- 
nal of  the  weather  posted  up,  that  no  chasm  might  occur. 
Very  early  in  life  I  established  correspondents  in  England 
and  other  parts  of  Europe,  from  whom  I  regularly  received 
books  and  periodicals  which  contained  accounts  of  the  wea- 
ther there,  and  by  whom  I  was  also  furnished  with  extracts 

M178519 


VI  PREFACE. 

from  very  ancient  records  of  the  weather,  some  of  which  I 
have  occasionally  published  in  the  United  States  Gazette, 
Hazard's  Register  and  the  Saturday  Courier,  and  which  I 
shall  now  annex  to  this  volume,  with  some  additional  ex- 
tracts. I  am  aware  that  some  of  these  accounts  of  cold 
winters  in  Europe  many  years  since,  may  seem  incredible, 
but  I  give  them  as  I  received  them,  without  vouching  for 
their  authenticity.  They  may  afford  some  information,  and 
can  do  no  injury.  I  have  added  other  articles,  of  the  cor- 
rectness of  which  there  can  be  no  doubt. 

This  volume  will  be,  to  many,  a  valuable  book  of  refer- 
ence, in  order  to  ascertain  how  the  weather  was  in  years 
long  since  gone  by.  In  order  more  readily  to  refer  to  any 
particular  month,  I  have  placed  each  month  in  a  class.  For 
instance,  the  months  of  January  follow  each  other  from 
1790  to  1847,  and  in  like  manner  every  succeeding  month, 
so  that  a  reference  to  any  month  in  any  year  may  be  turn- 
ed to  with  the  greatest  facility. 

I  have  always  been  particular  in  recording  the  state  of 
the  atmosphere  and  weather,  at,  or  before  sunrise,  also  at 
two  and  ten  o'clock,  P.  M.,  and  my  reason  for  so  doing  is, 
because  the  hour  between  day-dawn  and  sunrise  is  gene- 
rally the  coldest  of  the  twenty-four,  on  account  of  the  in- 
fluence of  the  sun  being  longer  absent  from  this  planet.  My 
reason  for  two  o'clock  is,  because  this  hour  is  generally  the 
warmest  in  the  twenty-four;  and  for  ten  o'clock,  P.  M.  is, 
that  there  are  frequently  great  changes  in  the  temperature 
of  the  atmosphere  and  weather  between  the  hours  of  two 
and  ten  o'clock,  P.  M.,  which  sometimes  causes  the  mer- 
cury to  sink  from  ten  to  twenty  degrees  ;  therefore,  by  al- 
ways taking  these  three  periods,  any  one  can  ascertain  more 
accurately  the  medium  temperature  of  any  twenty-four 
hours. 

CHARLES  PEIRCE. 

PHILADELPHIA,  January,  1847. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


Preface,       -  .5 

Table  of  Contents,    - 

January, 

February, 

March,  •       51 

April,     -  -  68 

May,-         .  •       86 

June,       ....  108 

July,  -  -     127 

August,  - 

September,  -  -     170 

October,           -  191 

November,  - 

December,       -  237 

Temperature  of  each  year  from  January,  1790,  to 

January,  1847,  -     264 
Appendix,         -                             -  265 
Cold  and  stormy  winters  in  Europe,  &c.  -         -     265 
Cold  and  stormy  winters  in  America  previous  to  1790,  268 
Storms  and  hurricanes,  -     272 
Notes  from  our  record,       -  276 
The  old  Congress  of  1776,  and  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence adopted,     -  -     276 
Great  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,        -  277 
Loss  of  lives  during  the  Revolutionary  war  and  cessa- 
tion of  hostilities,        -  -     277 
Definitive  articles  of  peace  signed  at  Paris,  -  277 
Grand  Federal  Convention  promulgated  the  Federal 
Constitution, -     277 


Vlll  TABLE     OF     CONTENTS. 

Congress  first  met  in  New  York,  George  Washington 

President,  and  John  Adams,  Vice  President,  -  277 

Order  in  which  the  States  adopted  the  Constitution,  -  278 
Washington  enters  Philadelphia  on  his  way  to  New 

York,  -  ....  278 

History  of  Philadelphia,  -  -  279 

Buildings  and  improvements  in  Philadelphia,  283 

Railroads,  &c.  -  ...  289 

Steamboats,  -  290 

Loss  of  steamboats,  -  -  -  292 

Tablet  of  memory,  -  -•  293 

America  first  discovered,  -  -  294 

New  England  first  planted  by  the  Puritans,  294 

New  Hampshire  first  settled,  -  -  294 

Philadelphia  and  other  cities  and  towns  first  settled,  295 

William  Penn's  first  arrival,  •  295 

First  Assembly  in  Pennsylvania,  295 
Penn's  last  return  from  Philadelphia  to  England  in 

1701  and  death  in  1718,  -  -  296 

First  yearly  meeting  of  Friends  in  America,  296 
First  newspapers  printed  in  France,  England  and 

America,  and  first  post  offices  established,  -  -  296 

New  inventions,  &c.  -  -  298 

Large  Fires,  .  -  299 

Remarkable  earthquakes,  -  -  300 


RECORD    OF   THE    WEATHER 

IN    PHILADELPHIA. 
From  January  1,  1790,  to  January,  1847. 

JANUARY. 

1790.  The  average  or  medium  temperature  of 
this  month  was  44  degrees.    This  is  the  mild- 
est month  of  January  on  record.    Fogs  prevail- 
ed very  much  in  the  morning,  but  a  hot  sun 
soon  dispersed    them,  and  the  mercury  often 
ran  up  to  70  in  the  shade,  at  mid-day.     Boys 
were  often  seen  swimming  in  the  Delaware  and 
Schuylkill  rivers.    There  were  frequent  show- 
ers as  in  April,  some  of  which  were  accompa- 
nied by  thunder  and  lightning.     The  uncom- 
mon mildness  of  the  weather  continued  until 
the  7th  of  February. 

1791.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  30.    It  commenced  foggy  and  mild, 
and  continued  so  until  the  10th;  rain  having 
fallen  on  three  days.    After  the  10th,  it  became 
very  cold,  and  some  snow  fell,  as  it  did  seve- 
ral times  afterwards  before  the  month  closed. 
There  was  good  sleighing  for  about  ten  days  in 
Philadelphia  and  vicinity. 

1792.  The    medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  32,  and  the  weather  was  very  vari- 

2 


10  JANUARY. 

able.  There  were  both  rain  and  snow  storms ; 
also  some  very  mild  and  some  very  cold  wea- 
ther. There  was  about  one  week  of  very  bois- 
terous weather,  both  on  the  sea  and  land. 

1793.  The    medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  40.    The  weather  was  very  mild  a 
great  part  of  the  month.  Considerable  rain  fell, 
bat  very  little  snow.   No  ice  made  either  in  the 
Delaware  or  Schuylkill  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
city.    The  medium  temperature  of  the  whole 
year  was  53. 

1794.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  32.    There  were  some  severely  cold 
days,  and  a  few  very  mild  ones.   On  two  morn- 
ings the  mercury  was  5  above  zero.    On  six 
mornings  from  12  to  20  above  zero.     During 
one  storm  about  twelve  inches  of  snow  fell,  and 
on  another  day  about  eight  inches,  after  both 
these  storms,  the  weather  was  very  cold  for  se- 
veral days.    It  afterwards  moderated,  and  con- 
siderable rain  fell,  which  made  very  bad  travel- 
ing for  man  and  beast.    The  medium  tempera- 
ture of  the  whole  year  was  50. 

1795.  As   in   the   corresponding   month  of 
last  year,  there  was  much  very  cold,  as  well  as 
some  mild  weather.    The  medium  temperature 
of  the  month  was  30  in  this  city.    There  were 
snow  storms  and  rain  storms.  There  were  cold 
north-west  winds,  and  mild  south-west.   There 
was  some  good  sleighing,  and  some  very  bad 
wheeling.   Some  shipwrecks  occurred,  as  there 
are  in  almost  every  winter  month.     On  the  1st 
of  this  month,  the  cold  was  so  intense  in  Eng- 


JANUARY.  11 

land,  that  the  Thames  froze  over,  said  a  London 
paper,  in  ten  minutes  while  the  tide  was  turning. 

1796.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  30.     It  commenced  with  fog  and 
rain,  and   there  was   no  very  severe  weather 
until  the  23d,  when  it  became  intensely  cold, 
and  some  snow  fell,  which  helped  to  close  the 
Delaware  and  Schuykill,  by  thickening  the  wa- 
ter.    All   navigation  was   stopped  for  several 
weeks. 

1797.  The    medium     temperature    of    this 
month  was  28,   and  a  cold   stormy  month  it 
was.     On   two  mornings  the  mercury  before 
sunrise  was  five  below  zero,  and  at  the  perma- 
nent bridge,    (crossing  the  Schuylkill   at  the 
head  of  Market  street,)  on  the  9th,  the  mercury 
sunk  to  13  below  zero,  and  the  two  subsequent 
mornings  to  10  below  zero.     There  were  two 
violent  north-east  snow  storms,  in  which  the 
snow  blew  into  high  banks,  and  so  blocked  up 
the  roads,  as  to  stop  all  intercourse  between 
city  and  country  for  several  days.     The  Dela- 
ware was  ice-bound  for  several  miles  below  the 
city,    and   wood   was  drawn  with   horses  and 
sleds  from  New  Jersey  across  the  Delaware  to 
the  city   and   liberties.     Horses    were    driven 
with  sleighs  on  the  Delaware  from  Trenton  to 
the  city.     For  four  days  there  was  -no  mail  re- 
ceived either  from  Baltimore  or  New  York. 

1798.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was   28,  and   there  was  much  steady 
cold  weather  during  the  month,  and  particu- 
larly from  the  14th  to  the  close,  much  snow 


12  JANUARY. 

x.   . 

fell,  which  afforded  two  weeks  of  good  .sleigh- 
ing. The  mercury  in  this  city  was  only  once 
below  zero,  but  for  ten  mornings,  it  was  from 
five  to  fifteen  above  zero. 

1799.  The    medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was   30,  and   it  was   mild,  foggy  and 
frequently  rainy  until   the  20th,  when  it  be- 
came so  cold  as  to  close  the  Delaware ;  and  it 
continued  cold   through   February,   and  until 
the  middle  of  March.     On  several  days  some 
snow   fell,    which    produced   good    sleighing. 
The  Delaware  was  closed  by  ice  from  the  22d 
of  January,  until  past  the  middle  of  March. 

1800.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month   was   28.     After  the  6th,  the  weather 
was  severely  cold  until  the  month  closed,  and 
a  good  deal  of  snow  fell  almost  all  over  the 
country,  as  far  south  as  the  Carolinas,  Georgia 
and  New  Orleans.     The  winter  did  not  break 
until  the  20th  of  March.      There  was  great 
scarcity  of  fuel,  and  much  suffering  among  the 
poor  :   and  there  were  many  shipwrecks   and 
marine  disasters. 

1801.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  34.     The  month  commenced  foggy 
and  much  rain  fell  previous  to  the  12th.  From 
the  13th  to  the  close  of  the  month,  the  weather 
was  very  changeable  from  cold  to  mild,  and 
from  snow  to  rain,  in  this  vicinity ;  but  from 
papers  from  the  interior  of  New  York,   Ver- 
mont, New  Hampshire,  Maine,  &c.,  we  learn 
there  was  much  cold  weather  in  those  places, 
a  great  part  of  the  month.     On  the  21st  of  this 


JANUARY.  13 

month,  water  was  first  thrown  into  this  city 
from  the  water-works. 

1802.  The    medium    temperature    of   this 
month   was   38.      After   the   first   week,    the 
weather  was  as  mild  as  April,  and  the  mercury 
ran  up  to  68  on   several   days.     During    the 
last  week,  some  trees  and  shrubbery  were  in 
blossom,  but  a  few  cold  days  the  first  week  in 
February,  destroyed  all  their  beauty,  and  closed 
the  Delaware.     Considerable  rain  fell,  but  no 
snow. 

1803.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  32.    It  commenced  mild  and  foggy, 
and  during  the  first  eight  days,  considerable 
rain  fell ;  it  then  cleared  with  a  strong  north- 
west wind,  and  the  mercury  soon  sunk  down 
to   fifteen   above    zero ;    this  north-west  wind 
ceased   after    the   third   day,    and   the    wind 
changed  to  north-east,  and  produced  a  violent 
snow  storm,  during  which,  several  marine  dis- 
asters occurred  on  the  coast.     After  a  week's 
sleighing,  a  south-east  rain  storm  carried  near- 
ly all  the  snow  away.     But   during  the  last 
week  in  the  month,  there  was  another  snow 
storm,  and  the  month  closed  intensely  cold. 

1804.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  28,  during  which,  there  was  some 
intensely  cold  weather,  which,  on  three  morn- 
ings, brought  the  mercury  down  to  zero.    Four 
mornings,  from  six  to  ten  above  zero.     Eight 
mornings,    from    15   to   20    above    zero.      On 
several   mid-days,    the    mercury   rose    to    the 
freezing   point  in  the  shade,   (which  is  32°.) 

2* 


14  JANUARY. 

There  were  several  snow  storms  during  the 
month,  and  some  very  good  sleighing.  During 
one  week,  it  was  very  mild,  and  considerable 
rain  fell. 

1805.  The    medium    temperature    of   this 
month  was  29;  it  commenced  and  continued 
cold,  until  the  16th,  when  it  moderated,  and 
ten  inches  of  snow  fell,  which  was  followed  by 
several  mild  rainy  days,  after  which,  it  cleared 
cold,  and  another  snow  storm  succeeded,  which 
produced  about  ten  days  of  good  sleighing,  and 
some  very  cold  weather,  but  the  mercury  did 
not  sink  lower  than  five  above  zero  in  this  city 
and  vicinity  ;  but  the  newspapers  from  some  of 
the  northern  and  eastern  States,  gave  accounts 
of  intensely  cold  weather,  and  the  mercury  to 
be  from  15  to  20  degrees  below  zero,  at  Albany, 
Syracuse,  Buffalo  and  Rochester,  in  New  York, 
also  at  Hartford,  (Conn.)  Worcester,   (Mass.) 
in  Vermont,  and  in  Maine,   and  they  said  the 
degrees  of  cold  were  about  the  same  in  January 
1804. 

1806.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  30,  and  the  weather,  (with  the  ex- 
ception of  a  few  days)  was  tolerably  mild,  until 
the   22d,  during   which    period,    considerable 
rain  fell,  but  very  little  snow  in  this  vicinity. 
On  the  22d,  the  wind  changed  to  the  north, 
and  then  to  north-east,  and  a  snow  storm  suc- 
ceeded, and   it  cleared  intensely  cold,  which 
soon  closed  the  Schuyllull  and  Delaware  rivers, 
and  January  took  her  leave  of  us,  with  both 
rivers  firmly  ice-bound.    The  last  week  in  this 
month,  was  very  cold  all  over  the  United  States 
and  the  Canadas, 


JANUARY.  15 

1807.  The   medium    temperature    of  this 
month  was  28,  and  it  produced  some  intensely 
cold,    and   some   very  mild   weather.      Snow 
storms  were  soon  followed  by  rain  storms,  and 
there  was  scarcely  a  week  of  steady  weather 
in  this  vicinity,  during  the  month.    On  several 
mornings,  the  mercury  was  at  zero,  and  on 
others,  it  was  above  the  freezing  point,  and  at 
mid-day  it  was  at  40  and  above.     On  several 
mornings  it  was  mild  and  foggy,  and  on  others 
it  was  as  cold  as  Greenland.     It  was  indeed  a 
month  of  many  weathers,  and  extreme  changes. 

1808.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  27,  and  during  which  there  was 
much  steady  cold  weather.     On  two  mornings, 
between  break  of  day  and  sunrise,  the  mercury 
was  three  below  zero.     Five  mornings,  from 
8  to  12  above  zero.     Six  mornings  from  16  to 
22  above.      Eleven  mornings  from  23   to  29 
above.     The  remaining  seven  were  from  30  to 
36.  During  the  middle  of  16  days  the  mercury 
was  from  15  to  30  above  zero  ;  during  the  re- 
mainder of  the  month,  at  mid-day  it  was  from 
32  to  42.    But  little  rain  fell  during  the  month, 
but  more  or  less  snow  fell  on  seven  days ;  there 
was  much   good   sleighing.      Much    severely 
cold  weather  was  experienced  in  the  northern 
and  eastern   States,  and  through  the   British 
provinces. 

1809.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  29,  and  there  was  a  good  deal  of 
mild,  thawy,  wet  weather,  but  the  month  did 
not  pass  without  several  very  cold  days,  in  this 
vicinity,  and  a  week  of  good  sleighing.  While 


16  JANUARY. 

in  Philadelphia  the  weather  was  mild  and 
rain  was  descending  copiously,  it  was  snowing 
in  the  northern  and  eastern  States. 

1810.  The    medium    temperature    of  this 
month  was  36,  and  a  very  mild  month  it  was, 
until  the  19th.     On  several  days  the  mercury 
ran  up  to  64  in  the  shade.     It  commenced  in 
the  fog,  and  continued  in  the  fog,  until  many  tim- 
orous persons  were  fearful  that  she  would  never 
get  out  of  it.     After  being  thus  enshrouded  in 
fog  and  mist,  old  Sol  increased  his  heat  to  such 
intensity,  as  to  devour  the  whole  of  it  in  one 
day,  to  the  great  joy  of  millions,  but  to  none 
more  than  to  the  poor  mariners,  who  had  been 
for  more  than  two  weeks  on  the  coast,  without 
being  able  to  find  a  port,  into  which  to  steer 
their  vessels  with  safety.     After  the  16th,  the 
weather  was  clear,  mild  and  pleasant  until  the 
J9th,  when  it  became  intensely  cold,  and  the 
atmosphere   was    soon   congealed   into    snow, 
which   descended  copiously  on  the  19th   and 
20th,  after  which,  there  was  good  sleighing  for 
several  weeks.     The  Delaware  closed  on  the 
night  of  the  21st,  and  remained  so  until  the 
1st   of  March.     The  weather   became  simul- 
taneously cold  from  North  Carolina  to  the  ex- 
treme west,  and  through  all  the  middle,  north- 
ern, and  eastern  States,  and  continued  cold  un- 
til March.     During  a  part  of  this  month,  the 
cold  was  so  intense  at  Moscow,  that  the  mer- 
cury sunk  to  40  below  zero  and  froze. 

1811.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  32,  during  which,  the  weather  was 
very  variable.     But  there  was  no  remarkably 


JANUARY.  17 

cold  or  mild  weather.  There  were  several 
very  foggy  mornings,  and  damp ;  and  some- 
times rainy  days,  -until  after  the  middle  of  the 
month,  when  there  was  a  pretty  furious  snow 
storm,  which  continued  part  of  two  days  during 
which  about  twelve  inches  of  snow  fell,  but  it 
blew  very  much  into  banks,  therefore  it  did 
not  produce  good  sleighing.  After  the  snow 
storm,  it  cleared  cold,  but  not  severe.  Upon 
the  whole,  the  month  past  oif  pleasantly  in  this 
vicinity. 

1812.  The    medium   temperature   of    this 
month   was  28,    and   there  was   some   pretty 
sharp  weather,  and   there  were  snow  storms 
and  rain  storms.     From  the  1st  to  the  13th  it 
was   mild,    and   considerable   rain   fell.      But 
after  the  first  two  weeks  it  was  much  colder, 
and  some  snow  fell  occasionally  on  different 
days,   which    produced    good   sleighing,   and 
caused  the  month  to  pass  away  merrily  with 
the  young  folks. 

1813.  The    medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  29,  and  during  the  first  two  weeks, 
the   weather   was   mild,    foggy  and  wet,  but 
from   the   15th  it  was  cold,   and  considerable 
snow   fell  on  several    days,   which    produced 
sleighing,  and  the  jingling  of  bells  were  heard 
night  and  day  until  the  month  closed. 

1814.  The    medium   temperature    of  this 
month  was  28.     The  weather  was  exceedingly 
variable  during  the  whole  month.     Sometimes 
intensely  cold,  with  the  mercury  down  to  zero 
at  sunrise,    and   on  other  mornings    ranging 


18  JANUARY. 

from  20  to  30  above.  There  was  one  week  of 
very  thawy,  wet  weather,  after  which  it  clear- 
ed very  cold,  and  a  north-east  snow  storm  soon 
followed.  The  month  closed  with  a  cold  north- 
wester. 

1815.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  26,  and  there  was  much  severely 
cold  weather.     At  sunrise  on  one  morning  the 
mercury  was  7  below  zero  ;  on   another  5  ;  and 
on  two  others,  3  below  zero.     On  four  other 
mornings  it  ranged  from  6  to  10  above ;  and 
on  eleven  mornings  it  varied  from  14  to  20. 
On   the    remaining    mornings   at    sunrise,    it 
ranged  from  24  to  34.  There  were  several  snow 
storms,  some  of  which  were  followed  by  rain, 
which  made  horrible  traveling.     Both  in  this 
month,  and  the  subsequent  one,  there  was  a 
great   deal  of  suffering   among  the   poor,  for 
fuel  and  the  common  necessaries  of  life.     The 
Schuylkill    and    Delaware    were    firmly    ice- 
bound.     There   were    several    marine    disas- 
ters, and  much  suffering  on  the  -sea  and  land. 

1816.  The    medium   temperature    of   this 
month  was  32,  and  from  the  1st  to  the   16th, 
the  weather  was  mild,  foggy  and  wet.     On  the 
evening  of  the  16th  a  re-action  took  place,  and 
there  was  a    deep    snow,  and  the    bridge    at 
the  falls  of  the  Schuylkill  fell.     The  weather 
afterwards   cleared   mild,    and    the  remainder 
of  the  month   was    pleasant   winter  weather, 
neither  severely  cold,  or  so  mild  as  not  to  need 
a  good  fire.    On  two  or  three  days  some  light 
snow  fell. 


JANUARY.  19 

1817.  The    medium    temperature    of  this 
month  was  34.     The  weather  was  mild  during 
the  first  two  weeks,  and  considerable  rain  fell, 
but  after  the  14th,  it  became  so  cold,  as  to 
close  the  Delaware  in  a  few  days.  On  the  17th 
it   snowed,    and  in  the  evening  there  was  a 
thunder    storm,   followed    by  hail    and  snow. 
After  the  22d,  the  weather  moderated,  and  the 
ice  gave  way.     But  on  the  2nd  of  February  it 
again  closed,  and  so  remained  until  the  9th  of 
March.     On  the  18th  and  19th,  the  Potomac 
river  froze  completely  over  at  Alexandria. 

1818.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  34,  and  there  was  a  good  deal  of 
mild,  foggy,  wet  weather  until  the  16th,  when 
four  severely  cold  days  followed.    The  -residue 
of  the  month,  was  pleasant  winter  weather. 
The  medium  temperature  of  the  whole   year 
was  53. 

1819.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  30.     The  month  commenced  tole- 
rably mild,  but  after  the  first  week  the  weather 
was  a  little  rainy,  foggy,  and  very  unpleasant 
until  past  the  middle  of  the  month,  when  more 
seasonable  weather  ensued,  and  the  wind  blew 
briskly  from  the  north-west  for  several  days. 
It   then   changed   to  the   north-east,  and  just 
enough  snow  fell  to  produce  good  sleighing, 
and   the  young   folks  enjoyed   it   much,  and 
some  old  folks  also  ! 

1820.  The    medium   temperature    of   this 
month  was  26,  and  quite  cold  enough.     Jack 
Frost  completely  cheated  us  out  of  our  January 


20  JANUARY. 

thaw.  It  is  true,  that  during  several  days,  from 
eleven  to  three  o'clock,  it  was  mild  and  delight- 
fully pleasant.  A  good  deal  of  snow  fell, 
and  the  sleighing  was  very  fine  for  two  weeks. 
On  three  mornings,  the  mercury  was  from  3 
to  5  below  zero,  and  on  six  mornings  from  6  to 
12  above  zero,  for  two  weeks  the  mercury  va- 
ried on  each  morning  from  15  to  29.  On  three 
mornings  only,  was  the  mercury  above  the 
freezing  point. 

1821.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  25,  and  the  coldest  January  month 
since  1780,  in  the  United  States ;  an  uncom- 
mon quantity  of  snow  fell.  On  nine  mornings, 
at  sunrise,  the  mercury  was  below  zero  in 
Philadelphia  and  vicinity.  On  two  of  these 
mornings  it  was  1 0  below,  and  on  two  9  be- 
low, and  on  five  mornings  from  2  to  6  below. 
On  seven  mornings  it  was  from  4  to  10  above 
zero.  On  eight  mornings  from  12  to  18,  and 
on  no  morning  did  it  rise  to  30.  At  New 
York  city  it  was  7  below.  On  Long  Island, 
N.  Y.,  it  was  13  below.  At  Albany  14;  Sara- 
toga 15  ;  Buffalo  16  ;  Vermont  23 ;  Canada  38  ; 
New  Haven  and  Hartford  15;  Boston  17  ;  Sa- 
lem and  Newburyport  20 ;  Lowell  29  ;  Exeter, 
N.  H.,  32;  Concord,  N.  H.  37;  Gardner, 
Maine,  33 ;  Bangor  34 ;  and  Brunswick, 
Maine,  39,  all  below  zero.  At  Brunswick  the 
mercury  became  stiff  in  the  bulb.  The  North 
river,  leading  from  New  York  to  Albany,  was 
so  firmly  frozen,  as  to  be  past  on  the  ice  from 
one  city  to  the  other,  160  miles,  and  for  sever- 
al days  the  Hudson  was  crossed  from  New 


JANUARY.  21 

York  to  Jersey  City  on  the  ice,  by  numerous 
persons.  But  three  other  instances  of  the  kind 
have  occurred  for  a  century,  viz.,  in  1741, 
1765,  1780.  The  sleighing  was  said  to  be 
good  from  Buffalo  to  the  extreme  part  of  the 
State  of  Maine;  and  from  St.  John's,  New 
Brunswick,  through  the  Can  ad  as  to  Michigan, 
and  from  Michigan,  a  thousand  miles  to  the 
west.  Every  harbour  was  ice-bound  from 
Alexandria,  Virginia,  to  Eastport  in  the  State 
of  Maine,  except  the  harbour  of  Portsmouth, 
New  Hampshire. 

1822.  The    medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  29.     It  commenced  and  continued 
mild,   with   foggy  mornings,  and  some  rainy 
days,  until  past  the  middle  of  the  month,  after 
which,  the  wind  changed  to  the  north-east  and 
some  snow  fell,  and  the   atmosphere  cleared 
with  a  north-west  wind,  which  continued  until 
the  24th,  when  it  again  became  mild,  and  so 
continued  till  the  month  closed. 

1823.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  34.     The  weather  of  this  month 
was  exceedingly  variable  from  its  commence- 
ment to  its  close.    It  was  alternately  cold,  mild, 
foggy,  rainy,  snowy  and  pleasant. 

1824.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  32.     It  commenced  cold,  but  a  re- 
action soon  took  place,  and  a  mild,  foggy,  wet 
spell  followed  until  the  14th,  when  a  pleasant 
change  took  place,  and  it  was  clear  and  fine 
until  the  24th,  when  it  became  cold,  windy, 


22  JANUARY. 

and  snowy  for  several  days ;  but  moderated  be- 
fore the  month  closed. 

1825.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month   was  34.      The  first  eight  days  were 
very  cold,  and  much  ice  was  made  in  the  Del- 
aware.    But  a  week  of  mild  southerly  weather 
made  every  ice-bound  river  and  rivulet  give 
way,  and  a  warm  light  rain  cleared  all  before 
it,  and  ten  days  of  delightful  weather  followed. 
On  the  29th  a  boisterous  north-wester  set  in, 
and  the  month  closed  very  cold. 

1826.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month   was  28,  and    the  weather    was    very 
fickle   during   the   entire   month ;    frequently 
changing  from  very  mild   to  very  cold ;  and 
from  a  fierce  snow,  to  a  mild  and  light  rain ; 
and  vice  versa.  Then  a  few  pleasant  sunny  days 
would  smile  upon  us,  which  were  followed  by 
a  raw,  chilly  north-easter,  that  would  make  one 
dread  to  leave  his  comfortable  fire-side.     And 
so  the  month  began,   and  so  it  ended.     The 
quantity  of  rain  which  fell  during  the  month 
was  If  inches. 

1827.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  28.     The  weather  was  alternately 
very  cold  and  mild.     There  were  several  rain, 
and  also  snow  storms,  and  about  one  week  of 
good  sleighing  in  Philadelphia  and   vicinity. 
But  considerable  snow  fell  in  the  western  part 
of  Pennsylvania  and  New  York.     The  mer- 
cury was  eight  above  zero  one  morning,  and 
from  13  to  23  above  on  nine  mornings.  Three 
and  a  half  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 


JANUARY.  23 

1828.  The    medium    temperature    of  this 
month  was  39.     This  was  indeed  a  remarkably 
mild  month.     The  Delaware  as  free  from  ice 
as  it  is  in  June ;  and  not  a  flake  of  snow  was 
seen  in   Philadelphia  during  the  month.      A 
great  deal  of  southerly  wet  weather  prevailed 
until   the   16th,  when   it  cleared  delightfully 
pleasant  with  a  westerly  wind,  and  so  contin- 
ued until  the  month  closed.     Early  shrubbery 
and  trees  were  beginning  to  put   forth   their 
buds.     On  several  days  the  mercury  ran  up  to 
70  in  the  shade.     Two  inches  of  rain  fell  du- 
ring the  month. 

1829.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  29;    the  month   commenced  very 
cold,  which  closed   the  Delaware   during  the 
first  week,  but  opened  again  about  the  middle 
of  the  month,  when  there  was  about  ten  days 
of  mild  wet  weather,  with  an  occasional  plea- 
sant day.     The  Delaware  closed  again  during 
the  last  week,  and  continued  closed  until  the 
middle  of  February.     Five  and  a  half  inches 
of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1830.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  28.     During  the  first  three  weeks, 
there  was  much  mild,  foggy  and  wet  weather, 
after  which,  a  re-action  took  place,  and  the  re- 
mainder of  the  month  was  severely  cold,  with 
some  boisterous  snow  squalls.     The  Delaware 
closed  on  the  25th.     One  and  a  half  inches  of 
rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1831.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  26,  and  there  was  much  intensely 


24  JANUARY. 

.cold  weather,  (after  the  first  week,  which  was 
very  rainy,)  and  some  boisterous  snow  storms. 
The  earth  was  covered  with  snow,  and  the 
Delaware  closed  with  thick  ice  from  and  after 
the  first  week  in  January  until  the  last  week 
in  February,  and  there  was  much  suffering 
among  the  poor.  The  streets  in  the  city  and 
roads  in  the  country  were  banked  up  by 
the  snow  to  a  great  height,  and  the  newspapers 
from  Virginia,  also  from  the  far  west,  and  all 
through  the  middle,  northern  and  eastern 
States,  said,  that  more  snow  had  fallen  during 
this  month,  than  in  any  corresponding  month 
since  1780.  A  Salem,  (Massachusetts,)  paper, 
said  the  snow  was  drifted  into  banks  in  that 
town,  and  through  that  region  of  country,  to 
the  depth  of  fifteen  feet.  Other  papers  from 
the  north  and  east  published  similar  accounts. 
The  storm  commenced  in  this  city  on  Friday 
evening  with  great  violence,  and  on  Saturday 
morning  the  market  wagons  were  completely 
buried  in  snow  on  the  north  side  of  Market 
street.  Mails  were  delayed  on  the  road  for 
two  or  three  days.  Many  vessels  were  wreck- 
ed on  the  coast,  and  many  poor  mariners 
perished.  Five  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the 
month. 

1832.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  25.  There  was  much  intensely 
cold  weather  during  this  month.  Several 
boisterous  and  severe  snow  storms.  Schuylkill 
and  Delaware  closed  with  thick  ice.  The 
winter  was  long  and  severe  all  over  the  United 
States,  and  very  similar  to  the  corresponding 
month  of  last  year.  Mails  delayed,  by  the 


JANUARY.  25 

roads  being  filled  with  snow.  On  three  morn- 
ings the  mercury  was  from  four  to  six  below 
zero,  and  on  six  mornings  from  eight  to  thir- 
teen above  zeto.  The  remainder  of  the  month 
was  seasonable  winter  weather.  Four  inches 
of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1833.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month   was  30.      The  first  two  weeks  were 
mild,  foggy,  cloudy  and  damp,    and  after  an 
easterly  rain  storm,  it  cleared  cooler  on  the  15th. 
But  there  was  no  severely  cold  weather  during 
the  month.     From  the  24th  to  the  31st,  a  few 
inches   of   snow  fell,    but    not    sufficient    for 
sleighing  in  this  vicinity.     Four  inches  of  rain 
fell  during  the  month. 

1834.  The   medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  29.  The  weather  was  very  change- 
able ;  foggy,  cloudy,  misty,  rainy,  clear,  mild 
and  cold.    Very  little  snow  fell  in  Philadelphia 
and  vicinity ;  but  towards  the  last  of  the  month 
considerable   snow   fell    in  the  northern    and 
eastern    States,    and    cold   weather    followed. 
Two  and  a  half  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the 
month  in  this  city. 

1835.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  28.     The  month  commenced  and 
continued  intensely  cold  until  past  the  middle. 
The  mercury  before  sunrise  in  this  city,  on  sever- 
al mornings,  was  from  2  to  4  degrees  below  zero, 
and  on  eight  mornings  from  6  to  15  above  zero. 
After  the  snow  storm  of  the  9th,  the  Delaware 
closed,  but  opened  again  by  a  rain  storm  pre- 
vious to  the  20th.     The  residue  of  the  month 

3* 


26  JANUARY. 

was  tolerably  mild  winter  weather.  A  New 
York  paper  of  the  7th,  stated  that  the  mercury 
on  that  morning  at  sunrise,  was  18  below  zero, 
and  at  Albany  on  the  previous  morning  23  be- 
low; at  Boston  15  below;  at  Newark  13  below. 
There  was  about  two  weeks  sleighing  during 
the  month  in  Philadelphia  and  vicinity.  Two 
and  three-quarter  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the 
month. 

1836.  The    medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  28,  and  a  very  snowy  month  it  was. 
There  were  no  less  than  seven  snow  storms, 
and  several  intensely  cold  days.  It  was  general- 
ly supposed,  that  during  the  storm  of  the  9th 
and  10th,  that  nearly  three  feet  fell  in  this  city, 
and  in  the  country  it  was  stated  to  be  much 
deeper.      It  was  calculated  that  during    the 
month,   from  eight   to  ten   feet  fell  in  many 
places.     In  the  interior  of  Pennsylvania  and 
New    York,    arid    in   various    parts   of  New 
England,  the  newspapers  stated  the  quantity 
which  fell  during  the  month  to  be  from  ten  to 
fourteen  feet.     But  two  south  east  rain  storms 
carried  off  a  great  deal  of  it.     At  one  time  the 
sleighing  was  said  to  be  good  from  the  Ohio 
river  to  the  bay  of  Funda  (Eastport,)  and  from 
Ohio,  through  Michigan,  and  down  the  Canadas 
to  St.  John,  (New  Brunswick,)  and  Halifax, 
(Nova  Scotia).  Seven  and  a  half  inches  of  rain 
fell  during  the  month  in  this  city,  but  while  it 
rained  here,  it  snowed  in  various  other  places. 

1837.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  28.     Every  day  in  the  month  was 
clear,  fine  winter  weather,  but   six.     On  the 
20th  and  21st,  about  four  inches  of  snow  fell, 


JANUARY.  27 

after  which  it  cleared  very  cold,  and  there  was 
tolerably  good  sleighing  until  the  30th,  when 
a  dense  fog  and  rain  carried  it  all  off.  The 
lowest  the  mercury  sunk  in  this  city  during 
the  month  was  5  above  zero.  2 \  inches  of  rain 
fell  during  the  month.  On  the  evening  of  the 
25th,  there  was  a  splendid  atmospheric  phe- 
nomenon, which  lasted  for  nearly  four  hours, 
and  for  sublimity,  beauty  and  magnificence 
was  unsurpassed  by  any  thing  we  ever  before 
witnessed.  [The  night  was  mild,  pleasant  and 
clear ;  its  commencement  was  about  a  quarter 
past  seven,  in  the  north-west,  and  resembled  a 
blaze  of  fire,  which  rapidly  extended  like  a 
rainbow  to  the  eastern  horizon,  and  in  a  few 
moments  spread  its  crimson  hue  over  the  whole 
hemisphere,  unsurpassed  in  brilliancy  and  mag- 
nificence. It  was  awfully  grand,  and,  perhaps, 
far  exceeded  in  splendour,  any  thing  before 
witnessed  in  this  region.  The  rays  of  light  va- 
ried from  a  deep  red  to  crimson,  tinged  with  yel- 
low, and  at  one  time  overspread  the  whole  hea- 
vens. About  eleven  o'clock  it  began  to  wane, 
and  by  twelve  had  entirely  disappeared. 

1838.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  38,  and  from  the  1st  to  the  30th  the 
Delaware  was  as  free  from  ice,  (opposite  and  be- 
low the  city)  as  in  November.  During  the 
night  of  the  29th  it  became  very  cold,  and  at 
sunrise  on  the  30th  the  mercury  was  16  above 
zero,  and  on  the  31st  only  12  above.  Not  a 
flake  of  snow,  (that  we  heard  of)  fell  in  this 
city  during  the  month.  Eighteen  days  were 
clear,  mild,  and  pleasant;  and  on  eight  days 


28  JANUARY. 

some  rain  fell.  The  other  five  were  cloudy  or 
overcast.  The  sap  rose  in  small  trees  and 
shrubbery,  so  as  to  produce  buds,  and  some 
shrubbery  in  gardens  of  a  south  exposure  put 
forth  leaves.  On  several  days,  from  12  to  3 
o'clock,  the  mercury  ranged  from  60  to  64.  Two 
and  a  quarter  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the 
month. 

1839.  The   medium    temperature    of   this 
month,  was  30.    It  commenced  very  cold,  with 
the  mercury  only  seven   above  ^ero;    but  it 
soon  moderated,  and  continued  mild  until  the 
15th,  when  eleven  days  of  very  cold  weather 
followed.     On  four  of  these  days,  some  snow 
fell;  (about  six  inches  in  all.)     On  the  24th, 
the  mercury  sunk  to  only    four   above  zero. 
On   the  25th  and  26th  if  rained  in  torrents, 
and  (the  ground  being  hard  frozen)  it  produced 
one  of  the  most  destructive  freshets  experienced 
for  many  years.  It  caused  a  rise  in  the  Schuyl- 
kill  river  of  fifteen  feet ;  and  swept  a\vay  seve- 
ral bridges,  mills,  &c. — In  New  York  city  and 
county,  the  wind  blew  a  perfect  hurricane,  un- 
roofed several  houses  and  other  buildings,  and 
did  great  damage  to  the  shipping  at  the  wharves 
and  at  anchor.     Five  and  a  half  inches  of  rain 
fell  during  the  month. 

1840.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month,  was  24.     The  medium  being  one  de- 
gree lower  than  any  month  of  January  we  have 
on   our   record.     The   month  was  without   a 
thaw.     Some  snow  fell  on  eight  days.     About 
eight  inches  in  all.     On  eight   mornings  the 
mercury  was  from  two  to  ten  above  zero.     On 


JANUARY.  29 

eight  more,  from  ten  to  twenty  above.  On  one 
morning,  only,  it  was  above  the  freezing  point. 
The  Schuylkill  closed  on  the  1st,  and  the  De- 
laware would  have  followed  suit,  but  for  the 
ice-boats.  But  Jack  Frost  obtained  a  victory 
over  them  on  the  night  of  the  16th,  and  placed 
his  broad  white  seal  upon  the  Delaware,  which 
remained  unbroken  for  several  days.  At  Bal- 
timore and  Washington  the  mercury  sunk 
down  to  zero.  We  afterwards  saw  it  stated  in 
the  newspapers,  that  at  Gettysburg,  and  seve- 
ral other  towns  in  the  interior  of  Pennsylva- 
nia, the  mercury  was  thirteen  below  zero.  At 
Albany,  Saratoga,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  30  below 
zero.  At  Hartford  and  New  Haven,  Conn. 
15  below.  At  Springfield,  Mass.,  30  below. 
At  Boston  14,  and  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  14  be- 
low. At  Portland,  Augusta,  Eastport,  &c.,  in 
Maine,  from  20  to  30  below.  In  Montreal  and 
Quebec,  from  37  to  39  below,  and  the  roads 
well  blocked  up  with  snow.  There  were  great 
disasters  amongst  the  shipping  on  the  coast  and 
in  harbours,  &c.  Two  inches  of  rain  fell  in  this 
city  during  the  month. 

1841.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  33,  and  the  quantity  of  rain  that 
fell  was  seven  inches  and  three  quarters.  The 
month  commenced  with  a  violent  north-east 
snow  and  hail  storm.  It  cleared  cold  on  the 
2d,  and  on  the  3d,  at  sun-rise,  the  mercury 
was  only  three  above  zero;  and  on  the  4th, 
four  above.  There  was  good  sleighing  until 
the  evening  of  the  5th,  The  6th  and  7th  were 
foggy  and  rainy,  and  the  mercury,  on  the 


30  JANUARY. 

morning  of  the  6th  was  36,  and  on  the  7th, 
55 ;  and  at  mid-day,  48  and  58.  The  ice  in 
the  Delaware,  (which  closed  on  the  night  of 
the  2d,)  now  gave  way,  and  the  weather  was 
tolerably  mild  until  the  18th,  when  a  re-action 
took  place,  and  the  mercury  sunk  to  14,  and 
on  the  19th  to  nine  only  above  zero.  From  the 
21st,  it  was  mild  until  the  month  closed.  Some 
snow  fell  on  four  days,  and  rain  on  thirteen. 
Some  days  very  little  fell.  But  the  powerful 
rain  of  the  6th  and  7th  produced  a  destructive 
freshet. 

1842.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  34f ,  and  1J  inches  of  rain  fell.     A 
very  little  snow  fell  on  four  days,  not  exceed- 
ing in  the  whole  two  inches.     With  the  ex- 
ception of  eight  days,  the  weather  was  mild 
and  pleasant  during  the  whole  month  in  this 
vicinity.     On  the  25th  there  was  a  conjunction 
of  the  two  largest  planets  of  our  solar  system, 
(Jupiter  and  Saturn)  which  occurs  only  once 
in  twenty  years. 

1843.  The   medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  38,  and  If  inches  of  rain  fell,  and 
about  the  same  quantity  of  snow,  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  Philadelphia.     It  was  a  remarkably 
mild   and   pleasant   winter   month.     But   the 
newspapers  informed  us  that,  while  Philadel- 
phia was   so   highly  favoured,  various   other 
places  were  experiencing  very  different  wea- 
ther.    On  the  26th  Pottsville  was  visited  by  a 
tremendous  hurricane,  which  swept  away  al- 
most every  thing  before  it.     On  the  7th  and 
8th  of  the  month,  Danville,  Pa.,  was  visited  by 
a  very  destructive  storm  of  wind  and  rain,  which 


JANUARY.  31 

swept  away  bridges,  and  did  a  great  amount  of 
other  damage.  On  the  7th,  there  was  a  great  fall 
of  snow  in  Tennessee,  and  it  was  intensely  cold, 
and  the  papers  stated  that  the  cold  extended  to 
Louisiana  and  Mississippi.  It  was  also  in- 
tensely cold  at  the  north,  and  down  through 
the  Canadas  to  the  bay  of  Funda.  The  Mon- 
treal and  Quebec  papers  said  the  weather  was 
so  cold,  that  the  mercury  sunk  36  degrees  be- 
low zero. 

1844.  The   medium   temperature   of  this 
month  was  27.     Two  and  a  half  inches  of  rain 
fell,  and  some  snow  on  four  days,  making  about 
five  inches  in  the  whole,  and  two  days  sleigh- 
ing in  the  vicinity  of  the  city.     One  morning 
the  mercury  was  6    above   zero.      On   three, 
7  above;   and  on  eight  mornings,  from  13  to 
20   above.      On   the   remaining   mornings,    it 
was  from  21  to  35.     On  the  mornings  of  the 
26th  and  27th  it  was  14  below  zero  at  Albany, 
and  intensely  cold  all  through  the  northern  and 
eastern  states. 

1845.  The   medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  38.     Three  and  a  half  inches  of 
rain,  and  about  two  inches  of  snow  fell  during 
the  month.     A  milder  and  pleasanter  winter 
month  could  scarcely  be  desired  than  was  ex- 
perienced in  this  latitude.     But  very  few  in- 
stances occurred  in  which  the  mercury  sunk 
below  the  freezing  point  in  the  city ;  and  it 
frequently  ranged  from  50  to  60,  from  eleven 
to  three  o'clock.     The  Delaware  below  Ken- 
sington, and  the  Schuylkill  below  Fairmount, 


32  JANUARY. 

were  as  free  from  ice  as  in  mid-summer.     The 
medium  temperature  of  the  whole  year  was  54. 

1846.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  33  f.  Four  and  a  half  inches  of 
rain  fell,  and  about  three  inches  of  snow.  From 
the  1st  to  the  17th,  the  weather  was  very  mild, 
when  a  re-action  took  place,  and  the  cold  in- 
creased so  fast  as  to  sink  the  mercury  26  de- 
grees from  three  o'clock  P.  M.  of  the  17th,  to 
sunrise  the  next  morning,  and  the  weather  con- 
tinued cold  until  the  30th,  with  the  exception 
of  two  days.  On  the  30th  the  wind  southed, 
and  the  mercury  ran  up  to  52,  and  on  the  31st 
to  58  at  mid-day.  On  the  20th  and  21st,  from 
three  to  four  inches  of  snow  fell,  which  made 
a  few  days  of  good  sleighing,  as  it  cleared  and 
continued  cold  for  several  days.  The  snow- 
storm of  the  20th  and  2]  st  was  very  severe,  and 
extended  far  to  the  south,  the  west,  the  north, 
and  the  east;  and  in  several  directions  so  blocked 
up  the  roads  as  to  delay  the  arrival  of  the  mails 
at  the  usual  hours. 


RECORD    OF    THE    WEATHER 

IN    PHILADELPHIA, 

FOR  THE  MOXTH  OF 

FEBRUARY. 

1790.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  32.     The  weather  was  mild  until 
the  7th,  when  a  reaction  took  place,  and  cold 
weather  set  in,  in  earnest,  and  \vith  the  excep- 
tion of  a  few  days  it  continued  pretty  cold  un- 
til the  17th  of  March,  when  the  winter  broke. 
During  the  month  of  February,  there   were 
both  rain  and  snow  storms,  and  some  very  mild 
and  pleasant  days. 

1791.  The   medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  28,  and  the  weather  was  very  va- 
riable, being   sometimes  very  cold,  and  then 
very   mild.     Considerable    snow    fell,   which 
made  about  two  weeks  good  sleighing.     Some 
rain  fell  on  six  days.     There  was  some  very 
pleasant  winter  weather  during  the  month. 

1792.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  30,  and  there  was  a  few  intensely 
cold  days.     The  remainder  of  the  month  was 
comparatively  mild,    particularly  in  this  lati- 
tude.    There  was  considerable  rain,  but  very 
little  snow  in  Philadelphia.     There  were,  how- 
ever, a  few  snow  squalls. 

4 


34  FEBRUARY. 

1793.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  32.     Very  little  ice  made  in  the 
Delaware,  notwithstanding  there   were    seven 
or  eight  days  of  very  cold  weather ;  there  being 
no  snow  to  thicken  the  water  was  probably  the 
reason.     Three-fourths  of  the  month  was  very 
mild,  and  considerable  rain  fell. 

1794.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  31.     During  the  month  there  was 
some  very  sharp  weather,   which    closed   the 
Delaware  for  nearly  two  weeks;  but  a  foggy, 
rainy  spell  soon  cleared  both  rivers,  and  made 
free  ingress  and  egress  for  vessels.     It  snowed 
and  rained  on  several  days. 

1795.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  30,  and  snow  fell  on  several  days, 
which  made  good  sleighing  in  the  vicinity  of 
Philadelphia  for  a  short  time  ;  but  some  rainy 
days  soon  spoiled  the  sleighing,  to  the  grief  of 
many  young   folks.     The   Delaware  was   ob- 
structed by  ice  for  ten  days.     Several  vessels 
arriving  in  the  course  of  the  month,  reported 
having    experienced    some    very   rough    and 
stormy  weather  on  the  coast. 

1796.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  wras  28,  and  the  month  was  very  cold 
until  past  the  20th,  the  mercury  several  morn- 
ings was  below  zero,  and  considerable  snow  fell. 
The  last  week  in  the  month  was  mild  and  plea- 
sant, which,  with  some  rain,  carried  the  snow 
off  very  rapidly. 

1797.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  26,  and  a  very  cold  stormy  month 
it  was.     Both  rivers  fast.     Fuel   scarce   and 


FEBRUARY.  35 

dear;  and  great  suffering  among  the  poor. 
Mercury  on  three  mornings  from  5  to  13  below 
zero;  and  several  mornings  from  6  to  15  above 
zero.  The  nights  generally  cold  the  remainder 
of  the  month,  but  the  days  tolerably  mild  and 
pleasant.  But  little  rain  fell.  The  cold  was 
tremendous  from  the  far  west  to  extreme  east. 
Mariners  on  the  coast  suffered  extremely  ;  and 
there  were  several  vessels  wrecked. 

1798.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  26.     There  was  not  so  much  in- 
tensely cold  wreather  during  this  month,  as  in 
the  corresponding  month  of  last  year,  but  it 
was  more  uniformly  cold.     The  cold  was  how- 
ever interspersed  with  some  mild  and  cheering 
days.     The  Delaware  was  closed   about   half 
the  month,  and  there  was  much  floating  ice  the 
other  half. 

1799.  The   medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  29.     The  weather  was  very  varia- 
ble.    Sometimes   intensely  cold,  and   then   a 
mild  spell.     There  were  both  snow  and  rain 
storms — sleighing  and  wheeling.     The  Dela- 
ware was  either  entirely  closed,  or  greatly  ob- 
structed by  ice  from  the  last  week  in  Novem- 
ber until  the  first  week  in  March  ;  indeed,  the 
winter  did  not  break  until  past  the  middle  of 
March. 

1800.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  27,  and  there  was  much  intensely 
cold  weather  during  the  month,  not  only  in 
Pennsylvania,  but  all  over  the  country  ;  and 
the  winter  did  not  break  until  the  second  week 


36  FEBRUARY. 

in  March.  A  great  deal  of  snow  fell  as  far 
south  as  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia,  also, 
through  all  the  western,  northern  and  eastern 
states.  The  Delaware  was  closed  until  March. 

1801.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  28.     The  first  week  was  intensely 
cold,  and  closed  the  Delaware  for  a  short  time. 
After  the  10th,  there  was  much  mild  wet  wea- 
ther, with  an  occasional  cold  day  or  two.    Very 
little  snow  fell. 

1802.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  34.     The  first  week  was  very  cold, 
and  destroyed  all  the  beautiful  flowers  which 
put  forth  during  the  previous  month,  (Janu- 
ary.)    The   Delaware   closed  on  the  3d,  but 
gave  way  again  after  a   few  days.     The  re- 
mainder of  the  month  was  mild,  and  considera- 
ble rain  fell. 

1803.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  28,  and  a  very  variable  month  it 
was.     There  were  several  snow  storms,  and 
the  weather  afterwards  cleared  cold.     After  the 
20th  it  was  mild,  and  rain  fell  on  several  days. 

1804.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was   28.     It   was   tolerably  mild    and 
pleasant  until  the  9th,  afterwards  it  was  very 
cold  and  stormy,  and  a  good  deal  of  snow  fell. 
It  continued  cold  until  the  10th  of  March. 

]  805.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  29,  and  there  was  much  cold  and 
stormy  weather.  Considerable  snow  fell,  which 
produced  good  sleighing.  The  rain  storm  in 
the  last  week  in  the  month  caused  a  great 


FEBRUARY.  37 

freshet.  It  afterwards  cleared  very  mild  and 
pleasant. 

1806.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  28.     It  was  steady  cold  during  a 
great  part  of  this  month.     The  ice  gave  way  in 
the  Delaware  about  the  20th ;  after  wrhich  it 
was  tolerably  mild  to  the  close  of  the  month. 
Very  little  snow  fell. 

1807.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  28.     The  weather  was  very  varia- 
ble.    There  were  both  snow  and  rain  storms. 
Very   cold  and  very  mild  weather.     Cloudy, 
overcast  and  clear ;  windy  and  calm.     Mercury 
almost  down  to  zero  on  three  mornings ;  and  at 

c5       / 

mid-day,  it  was  several  times  up  to  50.  There 
was  much  cold  weather  at  the  west,  the  north, 
and  the  east,  and  considerable  snow  fell  in 
these  directions. 

1808.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month   was    32.     Very  little   snowT,   but   con- 
siderable rain  fell.     With  the  exception  of  one 
week,   the  weather  was  mild  and  pleasant  a 
great  part  of  the  month. 

1809.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  26,  and  an  intensely  cold  month  it 
was.     The  Delaware  closed  with  thick  ice  the 
first  week  in  February,  for  several  miles  below 
the  city.     The  mercury  was  several  degrees 
below  zero  on  three  mornings  in  succession. 
Some  accounts  said  seven,  and  others  eleven 
below  zero.     On  the  27th  of  the  month,  the 
merchants  employed  a  great  number  of  men  to 
cut  the  ice  from  Pine  street  wharf  to  Glouces- 

4* 


38  FEBRUARY. 

ter  Point,  in  order  to  facilitate  the  sailing  of 
several  vessels  that  had  been  loaded  for  some 
time.  The  severe  weather  continued  until 
nearly  the  close  of  March.  There  was  a  great 
deal  of  snow  on  the  ground.  Fuel  was  scarce 
and  very  high,  and  there  was  great  suffering 
among  the  poor, 

1810.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  27.     The  Delaware  closed  on  the 
29th  of  January,  and  remained  so  until  the  first 
of  March.     Much  snow  fell  daring  the  month 
of  February,  and  the  roads  in  the  country  were 
blocked  up  in  every  direction.     Several  vessels 
were  wrecked   on   the  coast,  and  many  poor 
sailors  lost  their  lives. 

1811.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  26,  and  there  was  much  intensely 
cold  weather,  and  great  suffering  on  sea  and 
land.     After  the  first  week  the  weather  mode- 
rated a  little,  and  a  good  deal  of  snow  fell. 
There   were   three   snow   storms    during   the 
month,  and  very  little  rain  fell.     Fuel  so  scarce 
in  Philadelphia,  that  oak  wood  sold  for  fourteen 
dollars  per  cord. 

1812.  The   medium    tempe/rature   of    this 
month   was   27.      There   were   several    snow 
storms  during  this  month,  but  after  the  fall  of 
snow  the  atmosphere  became  mild,  and  rain 
generally  followed. 

1813.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  27.     The  weather  was  very  varia- 
ble;   sometimes    very   cold,    and   then    mild. 
There  were  were  several  snow  storms,  but  in 


FEBRUARY.  39 

no  instance  did  much  fall  at  any  one  time  in 
this  vicinity.  Some  rain  also  fell  on  several 
days. 

1814.  The  medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  28 ;  and  the  weather  very  similar 
to  that  of  the  corresponding  month  of  last  year; 
perhaps  rather  more  snow  fell. 

1815.  The   medium   temperature   of   this 
month   was   24.     Almost    the   whole   of    the 
month  was  intensely  cold.     On  several  morn- 
ings the  mercury  was  from  8  to  12  below  zero. 
There  was  considerable  snow  on  the  earth  when 
the  month  commenced,  and  there  were  several 
snow  storms  during  the   month.     The  snow 
was  very  deep  from  Ohio,  all  through  the  mid- 
dle, northern,  and  eastern  states  to  the  extreme 
part  of  Maine.     The  Delaware  closed  in  De- 
cember and  opened  again.     It  closed  again  in 
January  and  remained  closed  all  through  Feb- 
ruary, and  until  the  second  week  in  March. 
Fuel  was  exceedingly  scarce  and  dear.     Oak 
wood  sold  from  twelve  to  fourteen  dollars  a  cord, 
and   hickory  for   sixteen   dollars.     Anthracite 
coal  had  not  been  generally  introduced.     Fuel 
being  so  scarce  and  high,  there  was  much  ex- 
treme suffering  among  the  poor,  which  was  a 
general  complaint  almost  all  over  the  country. 
At  one  time  wood  sold  in  New  York  for  twenty 
dollars  a  cord. 

1816.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  28.  There  were  a  few  intensely 
cold  days;  but  excepting  these,  the  weather 
was  tolerably  mild  during  the  month.  There 


40  FEBRUARY. 

was  snow,  hail  and  rain,  but  neither  fell  in 
great  abundance.  During  some  cold  days,  the 
Delaware  froze  over,  bat  soon  opened  again  op- 
posite and  below  the  city.  The  ice  above  the 
city,  at  Burlington,  Bristol,  Trenton,  &c  did 
not  clear  out  until  the  first  of  March. 

1817.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  26,  and  in  all  conscience  it  was  cold 
enough.     The  mercury  was  several  times  from 

1  to  8  below  zero  from  the  1st  to  the  16th.    On 
the  2d,  the  weather  became  intensely  cold,  and 
the  Delaware  soon  closed  for  a  mile  below  the 
city,  and  continued  closed  until  the  first  week 
in  March.     Considerable  snow  fell,  but  very 
little  rain.     On  the  22d,  an  ox  was  roasted  on 
the  Delaware  opposite  Philadelphia.     The  cold 
extended  from  east  to  west,  and  from  north  to 
south.     At  Washington  city  the  mercury  was 

2  below  zero  on  the  15th.     At  Salem,  Mass.,  20 
below.  Boston  harbour  was  closed  with  thick  ice 
as  far  down  as  Fort  Independence.     From  the 
20th  to  the  22d  snow  fell  to  the  depth  of  3  feet 
on  a  level  in  Boston  and  in  many  parts  of  New 
England. 

1818.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  26.     It  came  with  a  violent  north- 
wester, which  made  the  window-sashes  rattle 
and  shutters  slam  at  a  tremendous  rate ;  and  the 
cold  increased  with  such  rapidity  as  soon  sunk 
the  mercury  below  zero.     The  intense  cold  con- 
tinued only  a  few  days,  but  sufficiently  long  to 
close  the  Delaware  some  distance  below  the 
city.     With  the  exception  of  a  few  mild  days, 
the  weather  was  cold  until  the  month  closed, 


FEBRUARY.  41 

and  until  the  10th  of  March.     But  little  snow 
fell  in  this  vicinity  during  the  month. 

1819.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  28.     It  commenced  and  continued 
cold  until  the  llth,  when  the  winter  broke,  and 
it  was  very  mild  the  remainder  of  the  month. 
Very  little  rain  fell. 

1820.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  30.     It  was  cold  until  the  12th, 
when  the  winter  broke,  and  the  remainder  of 
the  month  (with  the  exception  of  a  few  days) 
was  mild  and  pleasant. 

1821.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  32,  and  with  the  exception  of  a  few 
intensely  cold  days,  the  weather  was  mild  dur- 
ing a  great  part  of  the  month.     January,  the 
month  before  this,  was  the  coldest  for  many 
years. 

1822.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  27,  and  there  was  much  severely  cold 
weather,  but  not  a  great  deal  of  snow  fell  in  the 
vicinity  of  Philadelphia,  although  it  abounded 
in  the  northern  and  eastern  states. 

1823.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  36.     It  was  severely  cold  the  first 
week,  but  the  remainder  of  the  month  was  mild. 
It  both  snowed  and  rained  on  several  days,  and 
several  days  were  remarkably  mild  and  plea- 
sant. 

1824.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  34,  and,  with  the  exception  of  seven 
days,  the  weather  was  mild  and  generally  plea- 


42  FEBRUARY. 

sant.     It  rained,  however,  on  several  days,  but 
very  little  snow  fell  in  this  vicinity. 

1825.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  32,  and  the  weather  w^as  very  va- 
riable.    The  first  week  was  pretty  cold,  and 
some  snow  fell.      It  was   alternately  cloudy, 
rainy  and  clear  until  the  20th,  when  the  winter 
appeared  to  break,  and  it  was  mild  and  plea- 
sant to  the  close  of  the  month.     Three  and  a 
quarter  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1826.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  26.    It  was  intensely  cold  until  the 
10th.     On  three  mornings  the  mercury  was 
from  2  to  4  below  zero.     After  some  snow  fell, 
the  weather  moderated  and  became  very  mild. 
On  the  15th,  some  rain  fell,  after  which  the 
winter  broke,  and  it  was  uncommonly  warm, 
foggy,  drizzly,  and  occasionally  clear  and  plea- 
sant until  the  month  closed.     Two  and  a  quar- 
ter inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1827.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  27,  and  the  weather  was  one  de- 
gree colder  than  January.     Snow  fell  several 
times  during  the  month,  but  not  to  much  depth. 
A  little  rain  also  fell  on  two  or  three  days.  The 
weather  was  very  variable,  from  cold  to  mild, 
and  from  overcast  to  fair  and  pleasant.     Three 
and    a   half    inches   of    rain   fell   during  the 
month. 

1828.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  40,  and  the  weather  was  more  like 
April  than  a  winter  month.     Apricot  and  peach 
trees  were  in  bloom  on  the  20th;    but  some 


FEBRUARY.  43 

frosty  nights  in  March  destroyed  most  of  the 
promised  fruit.  Two  inches  and  three  quarters 
of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1829.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  27,  and  the  weather  was  cold  and 
occasionally  stormy  until  the  16th,  when  it  be- 
came mild,  foggy,  rainy,  &c.  and  the  ice  in  the 
Delaware  gave  way,  and  vessels  had  free  in- 
gress and  egress.     The  weather  continued  very 
mild  until  the  24th,  when  a  re-action  took  place, 
and  the  remainder  of  the  month  was  very  cold. 
Three  and  three  quarter  inches  of  rain  fell  dur- 
ing this  month. 

1830.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  25,  it  commenced  and  continued 
cold  to  the  end  of  the  month,  with  the  exception 
of  a    few   days.     There    were    several    snow 
storms,  but  not  more  than  six  inches  fell  at 
one  time.     Two  inches  of  rain  fell  during  this 
month. 

1831.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  26,  and  there  was  much  intensely 
cold  weather,  and  several  deep  snows,  not  only 
in  Pennsylvania,  but  all  through  the  western, 
northern,  middle,  and  eastern  states,  and  also  in 
Maryland,  and  the  western  parts  of  Virginia ; 
some  snow  also  fell  in  the  Carolinas,  and  in 
Alabama.     The  earth  was  covered  with  snow7 
from  the  first  week  in  January  to  the  first  week 
in  March,  from  Maryland  to  Maine.     In  many 
places  the  snow  was  blown  into  banks  from  ten 
to  twenty  feet  high.     There  was  great  suffering 
among  the  poor,  not  only  for  fuel,  but  for  the 


44  FEBRUARY. 

common  necessaries  of  life.  There  were  seve- 
ral melancholy  shipwrecks  during  the  winter. 
Two  inches  of  rain  fell  during  this  month. 

1832.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  27 ;    it  was   indeed   another  cold 
month,  and  there   were   several  severe  snow 
storms,  extending  to  the  east,  west,  north  and 
south.     And  the  cold  weather  continued  until 
the  middle  of  March.     Two  and  a  half  inches 
of  rain  fell  during  this  month. 

1833.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  30,   and  the  first  ten  days   were 
pretty  cold  and  some  snow  fell,  after  which  the 
weather  became  very  mild  and  the  winter  broke. 
One  and  a  quarter  inches  of  rain  fell  during 
this  month. 

1834.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  29,  and  the  weather  was  very  va- 
riable, from  cold  to  mild,  from  wet  to  dry,  from 
.cloudy  to  clear,  and  from  foggy  to  rainy,  with 
some  flirts  of  snow.     So  it  began  and  so  it 
ended.     Two  and  a  quarter  inches  of  rain  fell 
during  this  month. 

1835.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  28,  and  it  was  very  cold  a  great 
part  of  the  month.     There  were  two  pretty  se- 
vere snow  storms  and  some  snow  fell  on  other 
days.     Fuel  was  scarce  and  high,  and  there 
was  much   suffering  among  the   poor.     Two 
inches  of  rain  fell  during  this  month. 

1836.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  24 ;  it  commenced  intensely  cold. 


FEBRUARY.  45 

From  the  2d  to  the  6th,  on  each  morning  at 
sunrise,  the  mercury  ranged  from  1  to  4  de- 
grees below  zero;  and  there  were  twelve  in- 
tensely cold  days  during  the  month,  and  good 
sleighing  the  whole  month,  to  the  south  as  far 
as  Virginia;  to  the  west  as  far  as  the  Rocky 
Mountains ;  to  the  north,  through  Upper  Can- 
ada, and  to  the  east,  as  far  as  the  Bay  of  Funda. 
There  were  eight  snow  storms^  and  it  was  esti- 
mated at  the  time,  if  the  snow  had  fallen  on  a 
level  and  remained  to  the  end  of  the  last  snow, 
it  would  have  been  from  8  to  10  feet  in  depth. 
But  the  newspapers  stated  it  to  have  blown  into 
banks  in  some  places,  from  20  to  25  feet  high. 
It  was  the  coldest  month  of  February  since 
1815.  Three  inches  of  rain  fell  during  this 
month  in  this  city. 

1837.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  33,  and  it  was  very  mild  during  a 
great  part  of  the  month.     There  were  only  six 
very  cold  days.     A  very  little   snow  fell  on 
three  days,  making  about  2  inches  in  all ;  and 
some  rain  fell  on  five  days.     Although  the  wea- 
ther was  so  mild,  the  Delaware  was  a  good  deal 
obstructed  by  ice.     Three  and  a  half  inches  of 
rain  fell  during  this  month. 

1838.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  24,  and  during  which  there  was  a 
great  deal  of  severely  cold  weather,  and  had  it 
not  been  for  the  ice  boat  that  was  just  intro- 
duced, the  Delaware  would  have  been  closed 
the  whole  month.     On  eighteen  mornings  the 
mercury  was  from  6  to  20  above  zero,  and  the 
average  temperature  of  the  month  at  sunrise 

5 


46  FEBRUARY. 

was  only  18f ,  which  is  13£  below  the  freezing 
point.  Some  snow  fell  on  four  days,  and  there 
was  sleighing  from  the  16th  to  the  22d.  Two 
and  a  quarter  inches  of  rain  fell  during  this 
month, 

1839.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  33.     About  two  inches  of  snow  fell, 
which  melted  almost  as  soon  as  it  reached  the 
earth,  and  two  and  a  half  inches  of  rain  fell. 
The  weather  was  mild  during  the  whole  month, 
excepting  on  four  days,  viz.  on  the  6th,  it  was 
11 ;  on  the  7th,  it  was  12;  on  the  10th,  it  was 
14;  and  on  the  llth,  it  was  20  above  zero.     It 
was  so  mild  at  mid-day,  that  the  mercury  on 
twelve  days  ranged  from  40  to  48,  and  on  five 
days  from  50   to   54.      Notwithstanding  this 
month  was  so  mild  in  Pennsylvania,  the  papers 
inform  us,  that  the  weather  in  the  state  of  Maine 
was  severely  cold  and  boisterous,  and  the  mer- 
cury sunk  20  degrees  below  zero,  and  22  below 
in  the  Canadas.     And  the  last  accounts  from 
Europe  say,  that  the  weather  there,  during  the 
last  and  forepart  of  the  present  month,  was  aw- 
fully tempestuous,  both  on  the  sea  and  land, 
and  many  distressing  shipwrecks  had  occurred. 
Among  them,  were  three  of  the  New  York  Liver- 
pool packets,  viz.  the  Pennsylvania,  the  Oxford, 
and  the  St.  Andrew ;  and  that  a  great  amount 
of  damage  was  done  in  the  towns  of  Liverpool, 
Manchester,  &c.     We  .mention  these  items  to 
show  how  very  different  the  weather  is  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  our  planet,  at  the  same  time. 

1840.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  39.     From  the  1st  to  the  6th  it  was 


FEBRUARY.  47 

intensely  cold ;  the  mercury  ranged  from  zero 
to  15  above,  which  closed  the  Delaware  below 
Pine  street,  and  would  have  kept  it  closed  but 
for  the  vigilance  of  the  ice  boat.  On  the  6th,  the 
wind  southed ,  the  weather  suddenly  became  very 
mild,  the  rain  poured  down,  and  his  icy  ma- 
jesty soon  took  his  flight  from  this  vicinity,  and 
six  inches  of  snow  which  fell  on  the  1st,  soon 
ran  into  the  Schuylkill  and  Delaware  rivers. 
The  remainder  of  the  month  was  mild  and  ac- 
companied by  occasional  fog  and  rain.  The 
quantity  which  fell  during  the  month  was  three 
inches. 

1841.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  29.  About  six  inches  of  snow,  and 
one  and  a  half  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 
It  was  very  cold  from  the  10th  to  the  17th, 
the  mercury  ranging  from  3  to  13  above  zero ; 
the  other  parts  of  the  month  were  moderate,  or 
comfortable  winter  weather.  A  little  snow  fell 
in  this  city  on  six  days,  but  not  enough  for 
sleighing  at  any  one  time.  The  Delaware  was 
very  much  obstructed  by  ice  for  two  weeks. 
While  the  weather  in  this  country  during  the 
winter  has  been  comparatively  mild,  it  was  on 
the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic  uncommonly  bois- 
terous and  severe.  A  London  paper  of  Febru- 
ary 3d,  says  :  "  The  severity  of  the  wreather  is 
great,  and  numerous  shipwrecks  and  other 
dreadful  disasters  have  occurred.  It  was  so 
excessively  cold  in  Sweden  in  December,  that 
it  was  computed  that  three  thousand  persons 
perished. 

3842.    The    medium    temperature   of  this 


48  FEBRUARY. 

month  was  38.  About  two  inches  of  snow, 
and  four  and  a  half  inches  of  rain  fell  during 
the  month.  With  the  exception  of  nine  days, 
the  weather  was  mild.  On  the  9th,  the  mercury 
sunk  to  14,  and  on  the  17th  to  13  above  zero, 
at  sunrise.  On  the  4th  the  mercury  ran  up  to 
66  in  the  shade,  and  there  was  a  heavy  thunder 
shower  in  the  evening.  On  the  13th,  16th, 
19th  and  26th,  there  were  easterly  rain  storms, 
mixed  with  a  little  snow. 

1843.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  27.    A  little  snow  fell  on  live  days, 
making  about  seven  inches  in  all.     There  was 
sleighing   for   three  days.      Two    and  a   half 
inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month.     On  the 
mornings  of  the  7th,  8th,  9th,  16th,  17th,  and 
18th,  the  mercury  ranged  from  10  to  12  above 
zero,  and  considerable  ice  made  in  the  Dela- 
ware, but  the  ice  boat  kept  the  river  open,  so 
that  vessels  had  free  ingress  and  egress.     The 
weather  was  not  severely  cold  in  this  vicinity, 
but    in  the   papers,  we  saw  it  stated  that  in 
New  York,  and  in  the  northern  and  eastern 
States,  it  was  intensely  cold  and  boisterous,  and 
that   a  great  deal  of  snow  had   fallen.     The 
weather   was   also   very   cold    at    the    south. 
Snow  fell  in  South  Carolina  to  the  depth  of 
two  inches ;  and  there  was  both  snow  and  ice 
in  Alabama,  Florida  and  Louisiana. 

1844.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  32.     It  commenced  and  continued 
pretty  cold  for  two  weeks.     The  remainder  of 
the   month    was   tolerably  mild.     Some  snow 
fell  on  the  1st,  8th,  and  17th;  in  the  whole 


FEBRUARY.  49 

about  eight  inches.  There  were  but  a  very 
few  days  of  sleighing  during  the  whole  month. 
On  one  day  the  mercury  was  10,  on  another  8, 
and  on  another  15  above  zero,  which  were  the 
only  very  cold  days.  Only  one  and  a  half 
inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month.  In  a  work 
I  have  been  looking  over,  I  find  an  account 
of  a  great  snow  storm  which  took  place  in  the 
New  England  States,  from  the  19th  to  the 
22d  of  February  1717,  (one  hundred  and 
thirty  years  ago,)  during  which,  snow  fell 
to  the  depth  of  six  feet  on  a  level,  from 
Connecticut  to  Maine. 

1845.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  35  ;  and  four  and  three  quarter  inch- 
es of  rain,  and  five  inches  of  snow  fell.  There 
was  sleighing  from  the  8th  to  the  12th.     From 
the  1st  to  the  10th,  it  was  severely  cold,  the 
mercury  ranging  from  10   to  20  above  zero. 
From  the  llth  to  the  close  of  the  month,  the 
weather  was  mild  particularly  in  the  vicinity 
of  Philadelphia.     On  the  4th  and  5th  there 
was  a  very  severe  snow  storm  in  all  the  north- 
ern   and    eastern    states,    and    through    the 
Canadas  ;  after  which  it  cleared  intensely  cold. 
During  the  storm  many  disasters  occurred  to 
the  shipping  on  the  coast. 

1846.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  28.     The  quantity  of  rain  which 
fell  was  three  and  a  quarter  inches.     On  eight 
days,   more  or   less  snow  fell,  making  in  all 
twenty  inches  in  this  vicinity.      During  the 
snow  storm  on  the  night  of  the  14th  and  the 
morning  of  the  15th,  about  six  inches  fell,  and 

5* 


50  FEBRUARY. 

the  wind  blew  a  perfect  gale  from  the  north-east, 
which  prostrated  many  trees  in  the  city  and 
vicinity,  and  did  much  injury  to  vessels  in  port 
and  on  the  coast.  During  this  storrn,  ten 
vessels  were  wrecked,  on  and  near  Squam 
Beach,  and  sixty  persons  perished.  Among 
the  vessels  that  were  lost,  was  the  packet  ship 
John  Minturn,  from  New  Orleans,  bound  to 
New  York.  There  were  fifty  persons  on  board 
thirty-eight  of  whom  perished,  including  the 
captain  and  his  wife  and  their  two  children. 
Several  other  vessels  were  wrecked  on  the 
American  coast,  and  many  lives  lost.  The  last 
three  days  in  this  month  were  very  cold.  On 
the  morning  of  the  27th,  the  mercury  was  only 
8  above  zero. 


RECORD   OF   THE    WEATHER 

IN    PHILADELPHIA, 

FOR  THE  MONTH  OF 

MARCH. 


1790.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  38,  and  the  weather  was  cold  and 
boisterous  until  the   17th,   and  some  snow  fell 
on  three  days.     From  the  17th  to  the  close  of 
the  month  it  was  mild,  and  considerable  rain 
fell. 

1791.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  40.     The  first  eight  days  were  re- 
markably mild  and  pleasant,  after  which  the 
wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  some  snow,  and 
then  rain  fell.     On  the  10th  the  wind  changed 
to  south-west  and  it  again  became  mild  and 
pleasant  for  several  days,  and  vegetation  came 
forth  rapidly.     But  the  last  week  was  cold  arid 
frosty,  and  some  rain  fell. 

1792.  The    medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  37,  and  the  first  two  weeks  were 
windy,  cold,  cloudy  and  clear  alternately,  and 
some  snow  and  rain  fell.    From  the  15th  to  the 
22d,  it  was  remarkably  mild  and  pleasant.    The 
last  week  was  very  variable  ;  sometimes  rainy, 
and  then  cloudy,  and  then  clear. 


52  MARC  H. 

1793.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  34,  and  there  was  much  of  cold, 
stormy,    snowy,   frosty   weather,    and   several 
rainy  days.     There  was  scarcely  a  mild  plea- 
sant day  until  after  the  20th,  when  it  became 
spring-like  and  cheering,   and  some   signs  of 
vegetation  soon  appeared,  to  the  joy  of  thou- 
sands. 

1794.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  36,  and,  notwithstanding  there  was 
much   cold,   stormy  weather,    yet,   there   was 
also  much  that  was  mild  and  pleasant.     Pre- 
vious to  the  middle  of  the  month,  there  were 
several  storms,    intermingled  with   snow   and 
rain.     But  a  brisk  north-wester,  which  com- 
menced on  the  16th,  and  continued  for  several 
days,  cleared  the  atmosphere  and  introduced 
some  fine  and   pleasant  weather,  which  con- 
tinued until  the  month  closed. 

1795.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  34.    It  commenced  cold  and  windy ; 
and  snow  storms  and  rain  storms  followed,  so 
that  there  was  very  little  pleasant  weather  dur- 
ing the  first  three  weeks ;  at  the  end  of  three 
weeks  the  wind  southed,  and  it  rained  mode- 
rately for  two  days,  after  which  it  cleared  warm, 
and  vegetation  came  forward  rapidly. 

1796.  The    medium    temperature    of  this 
month  was  38.     It  commenced  cold  and  windy, 
but  after  a  snow  squall  on  the  6th,  the  wind 
changed  to  south-east,  and  some  rain  fell ;  the 
weather  then  became  mild  and  pleasant  for  a 
week ;  a  cold  frosty  spell  then  followed ;   and 


MARCH.  53 

the  remainder  of  the  month  was  alternately 
rainy  and  fair. 

1797.  The   medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  36,  and  there  was  much  cold  and 
boisterous  weather,  with  some  snow  and  rain, 
until  the  12th,  after  which  it  was  tolerably  mild 
and  pleasant  until  the  19th,  when  a  week  of 
easterly  wet,  chilly  weather  ensued.    The  wind 
then  changed  to  south-west,  and  the  remainder 
of  the  month  was  delightfully  pleasant. 

1798.  The    medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  34,  and  it  was  more  like  a  winter 
than  a  spring  month.     Considerable  snow  fell, 
and  there  was  much  cold  boisterous  weather, 
and  very  frosty  nights.     Very  little  rain  fell 
during  the  month. 

1799.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  35,  and  the  weather  continued  win- 
tery  until  the  middle  of  the  month,  after  which 
the  spring  opened  beautifully.     As  late  as  the 
14th  of  the  month  there  was  a  pretty  deep  snow, 
but  a  copious  rain  soon  carried  it  all  off,  to  the 
great  joy  of  many. 

1800.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  36,  and  the  weather  was  very  cold 
until  the  8th,  then  followed  ten  days  of  delight- 
ful spring  weather,  but  the  remainder  of  the 
month  was  very  variable,  sometimes  rainy,  then 
clear  and  windy,  with  cold  frosty  nights.     So 
the  month  ended. 

1801.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  36.     It  opened  mild  and  pleasant 


54  MARCH. 

and  diffused  pleasant  sensations  into  all  who 
experienced  the  delightful  change  and  improve- 
ment in  the  atmosphere.  But,  alas,  we  live  in 
a  changeable  world.  The  second  week  brought 
clouds,  wind  and  snow  squalls,  which  dispersed 
all  the  pleasant  sensations  of  the  previous  week ; 
but,  fortunately,  this  gloomy  weather  was  of 
short  duration,  as  the  wind  took  a  whirl  to  the 
south,  and  after  a  fine  warm  rain,  it  cleared 
mild,  and  the  remainder  of  the  month  was  every 
thing  which  could  reasonably  be  desired. 

1802.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  40,  and  it  was,  (with  a  few  excep- 
tions) a  month  of  delightful  weather,  in  which 
vegetation  came  forward  with  astonishing  ra- 
pidity, and  the  trees  were  dressed  in  their  beau- 
tiful attire  of  green  and  white,  and  perfumed 
the  air  with  their  odours. 

1803.  The    medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  40;  it  commenced  and  continued 
pleasant  and  mild  until  the  12th,  when  the  wind 
took  an  easterly  direction  and  set  the  elements 
all  in  commotion,  so  that  on  the  14th,  there  was 
one  of  the  most  severe  snow  storms  which  had 
occurred  during  the  last  three  months.     Snow 
fell  to  the  depth  of  fifteen  inches  in  Philadel- 
phia and  vicinity ;  and  in  Baltimore  and  Wash- 
ington twenty  inches.     The  papers  also  stated, 
that  the  snow  fell  to  so  great  a  depth  at  the 
west,  north  and  east,  as  to  prevent  the  arrival 
of  the  mail  from  one,  two  and  three  days  after 
it  was  due,  at  many  places.     After  it  ceased 
snowing,  the  wind  backed  in  to  north-west,  and 
blew  almost  to  a  hurricane  for  several  hours;  it 


M  ARCH.  55 

however  lulled  as  the  sun  went  down,  -but  rose 
with  it  on  the  ensuing  morning,  but  not  on  so 
high  a  key ;  on  the  third  day,  it  changed  to  south- 
east, and  the  clouds  soon  gathered  their  forces, 
and  poured  down  rain  with  such  violence,  as 
very  soon  to  put  all  the  snow  to  night.  From 
the  23d  to  the  end  of  the  month,  the  weather 
was  almost  like  summer,  and  April  was  ushered 
in  by  millions  of  smiling  faces,  because  it  shone 
so  smilingly  on  them. 

1804.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
nKftith  was  38.     The  weather  was  very  variable 
a  great  part  of  the  month.     There  were  some 
very   mild,    and   some    boisterous   cold   days. 
There  were  a  few  snow  storms,  and  some  rain 
storms,  and  there  were  some  cloudy,  and  some 
beautiful  clear  days,  and  when  the  month  closed, 
some  trees  were  in  bloom  and  grass  looked 
green. 

1805.  The    medium   temperature    of   this 
month  was  40.     As  usual  there  was  a  variety 
of  weather,  but  the  mild  and  pleasant  prevailed 
a  great  part  of  the  month.     Considerable  rain 
fell,  and  a  few  flakes  of  snow  were  seen  occa- 
sionally, and  there  were  some  frosty  nights. 

1806.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  38.     It  commenced  cold  and  windy, 
and  there  were  some  snow  squalls.    But  on  the 
10th,  the  wind  changed  to  south-west,  and  then 
to  south-east,  and  some  rain  fell ;  it  then  clear- 
ed with  wind  west,  and  there  was  about  ten 
days  of  very  mild  and  pleasant  weather,  which 
caused  the  trees  and  shrubbery  to  put  forth 


56 


MARC  II. 


beautifully  ;  but  during  the  last  week  they  ex- 
perienced a  check  by  a  cold  north-west  wind 
by  day,  and  severe  frost  by  night. 

1807.  The   medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  39 ;  and  there  was  much  mild  and 
pleasant  weather  during  the  month,  interspersed 
by  some  snow,  and  considerable  rain.     Vegeta- 
tion, however,  made   great  progress,  and  the 
trees  and  shrubbery  were  very  forward. 

1808.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  37,  and  it  commenced  and  contin- 
ued cold  and  windy,  (with  some  snow  and  rain) 
for  nearly  two  weeks,  after  which  the  weather 
became  mild  and  spring-like,  and  so  continued 
the  remainder  of  the  month. 

1809.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  35,  and  a  cold  wintry  month  it  was. 
Snow  storms  were  frequent,  but  rain  generally 
followed,  and  then  cold  north-west  winds,  and^ 
sleety  and  sloppy  walking  made  up  the  variety, 
with  an  occasionally  mild  and  pleasant  day. 

1810.  The    medium    temperature    of   this 
month  was  37 ;  and  there  was  considerable  snow 
on  the  earth  when  it  commenced,  and  a  storm  in 
the  first  week  added  a  few  inches  more,  which 
made  good  sleighing.     The  weather  continued 
cold  until  past  the  middle  of  the  month,  when 
a  south-east  and  southerly  rain  storm  made  all 
the  snow  run  into  the  great  ocean ;  the  wind 
changed  to  south-west,  and  the  spring  now  com- 
menced beautifully,  and  every  thing  did  spring 
to  admiration,  as  though  it  meant  to  redeem 
much  lost  time.     By  the  1st  of  April,  many 


MARCH.  57 

early  fruit  trees  were  in  blossom.  During  a 
violent  gale  on  the  3d,  the  great  Elm  tree  at 
Kensington,  under  which  William  Penn  made 
his  treaty  with  the  Indians  in  1682,  was  blown 
down. 

1811.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  40.     With  the  exception  of  a  few 
squally,  cold  days,  and  two  rain  storms,  the 
weather  was  rnild  and  very  pleasant,  and  vege- 
tation came  forward  with  rapidity.    It  was  said, 
that  winter  grain  scarcely  ever  looked  more  pro- 
mising,   A  tremendous  gale  on  the  coast  of  Ire- 
land destroyed  a  great  number  of  vessels,  and 
many  lives  were  lost  on  the  3lst  of  this  month. 

1812.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  37,  and  there  was  considerable  cold, 
windy  weather,  but  much  more  that  was  mild, 
spring-like   and    very  pleasant.      There   were 
some  storms,  with  a  mixture  of  snow  and  rain, 
but,  after  they  had  ceased,  old  Sol  shone  out 
warm  and  made  the  sap  rise  in  the  trees  and 
put  forth  buds,  blossoms  and  leaves,  and  at  the 
close  of  the  month  early  vegetation  looked  pro- 


mising. 


1813.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  39,  and  it  produced  a  great  variety 
of  weather,  viz.  a  little  snow,  more  rain,  some 
wind,  some  calm,  some  cold,  some  warm,  and 
a  good  deal  of  mild,  pleasant  weather.    On  the 
whole,  the  month  passed  off  very  agreeably  in 
this  vicinity,  and  we  hope  it  did  elsewhere. 

1814.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  38,  and  it  opened  very  mild  and 


58  MARC  H. 

pleasant,  but  the  second  week  brought  a  cold 
north-west  wind,  which  continued  for  several 
days,  and  then  changed  to  south-west,  when 
the  weather  became  mild  and  very  pleasant  for 
seven  or  eight  days,  when  it  rained  copiously, 
arid  cleared  beautifully,  and  it  continued  mild 
and  pleasant  until  the  month  closed. 

1815.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  38.     Cold  weather  continued  until 
the  middle  of  the  month,  when  the  winter  broke 
and  it  became  uncommonly  mild  and  pleasant, 
and  vegetation  came  forward  with  surprising 
rapidity. 

1816.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  36,  and  there  was  a  great  deal  of 
cold,  windy,  boisterous,  and  stormy  weather, 
until  past  the  middle  of  the  month ;  but,  not- 
withstanding the  month  came  in  like  a  lion,  and 
continued   very  ferocious  for   more  than    two 
weeks,  yet  it  went  out  as  mild  and  gentle  as  a 
lamb.     A  great  fresh  in  the  Ohio  and  Kentucky 
rivers  caused  a  rise  of  more  than  fifty  feet,  and 
produced  great  destruction  of  property. 

1817.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  40.     It  commenced  cold,  but  after 
the  first  week,  the  winter  broke,  and  the  wea- 
ther became  rnild  and  pleasant,  and  (with  the 
exception  of  a  few  days)  continued  so  until  the 
month  closed. 

1818.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  37.     The  month   commenced  and 
continued  cold  and  windy  until  the  10th,  when 
the  winter  broke.     Some  rain  fell,  with  a  little 


MARCH.  59 

flirt  of  snow ;  after  which,  mild  and  pleasant 
weather,  (with  occasional  showers)  continued 
through  the  remainder  of  the  month. 

1819.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  39.     It  commenced  mild  and  plea- 
sant, (and  with  the  exception  of  one  short  east- 
erly rain  storm,  a  few  occasional  showers  ;  arid 
one  snow  squall,  accompanied  by  a  fierce  north- 
wester) the  month  pased  off  pleasant. 

1820.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  38.     It  was  mild  and  pleasant  until 
the  8th,  when  a  re-action  took  place,  and   a 
whole  week  of  cold,  cloudy,  windy,  squally, 
and  frosty  weather  followed.     The  wind  then 
changed  to  west  and  south-west,  and  the  wea- 
ther became  mild  and  pleasant,  and  (with  the 
exception  of  a  few  days)  it  continued  so  until 
the  month  closed. 

1821.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  37 ;  and  the  weather  was  very  va- 
riable through  the  whole  month.     It  snowed, 
it  hailed,  and  it  rained  more  than  once  or  twice ; 
and   a   north-west  wind    whistled    on   a  high 
key.     At  last,  the  weather  became  as  mild  and 
gentle  as  a  lamb,  and  the  month  closed  very 
lamb-like. 

1822.  The   medium   temperature     of    this 
month  was  36.     It  commenced  cold,  but  plea- 
sant— previous  to  the  20th,  there  was  all  sorts 
of  weather,  very  similar  to  the  corresponding 
month  of  last  year.     The  last  ten  days  were 
mild,  but  wet,  and  every  thing   around   pro- 
claimed that  it  was  spring. 


60  MARCH. 

1823.  The    medium    temperature    of   this 
month  was  40,  and  although  snow  frequently 
feathered  the  atmosphere,  none  remained  long 
upon  the  earth,  as  rain  generally  followed,  and 
a  pleasant  week  ensued.     So  the  month  com- 
menced, and  so  it  ended. 

1824.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  39.      It  was  mild  and  very  plea- 
sant during  the  first  week.     The  subsequent 
ten  days  were  windy,  cold  and  squally.     The 
wind  then  changed  to  south-east,  and  rain  fell 
copiously,  after  which  it  cleared,  and  the  wea- 
ther during  the  remainder  of  the  month  was 
mild  and  really  spring-like,  and  vegetation  pro- 
gressed finely. 

1825.  The    medium    temperature    of  this 
month  was  40,  and  with  the  exception  of  a 
bracing  north-wester  for  several  days,  it  was  a 
month  of  spring-like  weather,  and  vegetation 
came  forward  rapidly.     Four  and  a  half  inches 
of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1826.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  38.     It  commenced  warm,  but  dur- 
ing the    second  week  a  cold  north-west  wind 
prevailed,  to  the  discomfiture  of  many.     It  did 
not,  however,  retain  its  strength  long,  as  it  lulled 
into  a  calm,  and  a  delightful  mild  spell  followed, 
until  the  wind  changed  to  south-east,  and  some 
rain  fell.     A  warm  south  wind  and  pleasant 
weather  closed  the  month.     Nine  and  a  half 
inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1827.  The   medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  36,  and  a  cold  boisterous  month  it 


MARC  H.  61 

was.  Snow  fell  several  times,  after  which  it 
cleared  with  a  brisk  north-west  wind.  The 
21st,  however,  brought  mild  spring-like  wea- 
ther, which  continued  until  the  month  closed. 
One  and  a  quarter  inches  of  rain  fell  during 
the  month. 

1828.  The    medium     temperature    of  this 
month  was  42.     After  the  first  week,  which 
was  very  frosty,  and  destroyed  most  of  the  ap- 
ricot and  peach  buds  and  blossoms,  which  put 
forth  so  plentifully  the  last  week  in  February, 
the  weather  became  uncommonly  warm,  and 
(with  the  exception  of  a  few  days  of  rain,  &,c.,) 
it  continued  so  the  remainder  of  the  month. 
Four  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1829.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  38,  and  there  were  all  kinds  of  wea- 
ther for  nearly  three  weeks.     Some  cold,  some 
mild,  and  some  rain,  with  a  little  snow.    Then 
a  brisk  north-wester  cleared  all  off,  and  the  at- 
mosphere became  clear,  mild  and  pleasant,  and 
thus  closed  the  month.     Three  inches  of  rain 
fell  during  the  month. 

1830.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  40.     The   weather   was  very  un- 
steady.   It  was  cold  and  windy,  mild  and  rainy, 
and   sometimes  uncommonly   warm.     During 
one  week  there  were  some  very  frosty  nights. 
But  on  the  whole,  a  majority  of  the  weather 
was  very  mild  and  pleasant.     Four  and  a  quar- 
ter inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1831.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  39.     The  weather  was  quite  cold 

6* 


62  MARCH. 

until  the  6th,  after  which  there  were  two  weeks 
of  very  mild  and  pleasant  weather,  when  some 
rain  fell,  and  it  cleared  with  a  strong  north- 
west wind,  which  spent  itself  in  three  days. 
The  remainder  of  the  month  was  remarkably 
mild  and  pleasant.  Three  inches  of  rain  fell 
during  the  month. 

1832.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  34.     The  mercury  sunk  to  zero  on 
the  4th,  in  this  city.     In  Baltimore  and  Wash- 
ington, it  was  4  below.     At  the  north  and  east, 
it  was  several  degrees  colder.     The  winter  did 
not  break  until  the  15th.     There  was  scarcely 
a  night  in  the  whole  month  that  it  did  not 
freeze  hard.     There  was  an  abundance  of  snow, 
rain  and  sleet.     There  was  floating  ice  in  the 
Delaware  during  the  whole  month.     Indeed,  it 
was  the  coldest  month  of  March  we  have  on 
our  journal,  except  three,  which  were  the  same. 
The  few  mild  days  during  the   month   were 
greeted  with  uncommon  pleasure.    Two  inches 
of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1833.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month   was    39.      It   commenced   spring-like, 
both  mild  and  pleasant.     But  the   10th  very 
abruptly  introduced  a   cold   boisterous  week, 
that  was  welcomed  by  no  one ;  but  its  depar- 
ture on  the  18th  was  cheered  by  thousands. 
The  weather  now  became  mild  and  pleasant, 
and  so  continued  until  the  month  closed,  with 
the  interruption  of  a  few  very  seasonable  show- 
ers.    Two  and  a  quarter   inches   of  rain  fell 
during  the  month. 

1834.  The   medium    temperature   of  this 


MARCH.  63 

month  was  38.  The  weather  was  variable 
during  the  whole  month.  There  were  some 
squally  and  some  calm  days ;  also  some  cold 
and  some  warm,  some  wet  and  some  dry,  some 
cloudy  and  some  clear  days.  In  this  way  it 
seemed  to  take  turn-about,  until  the  month 
came  to  itsjims.  Two  inches  of  rain  fell  dur- 
ing the  month. 

1835.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  39.     It  commenced  mild,  and  so 
continued  for  a  week,  when  the  mildness  of  the 
lamb  was  disturbed  by  the  roar  of  the  lion,  (as 
Mr.  North-wester  is  called.)     For  two  or  three 
days  he  made  sad  work  with  window-shutters, 
store-signs,    and   a   variety   of   other   articles. 
After  he  took  his  departure,  there  was  some 
cheering  spring-like  weather  during  the  residue 
of  the  month.     Four  inches  of  rain  fell  during 
the  month. 

1836.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  35.     With  the  exception  of  a  few 
days,  the  weather  continued  cold  to  the  28th  of 
the  month.     It  commenced  with  snow,  hail, 
rain  and  sleet,  and  there  were  in  the  course  of 
the  month,  enough  snowy,  rainy,  sleety  days, 
to  satisfy  any  reasonable  person.     The  wind, 
for  the  first  time  during  the  month,  changed  to 
south,  and  then  to  the  south-west  on  the  29th, 
and   produced   a   warm   atmosphere,  and  the 
nights  of  the  29th,  30th,  and  31st,  were  the 
only  ones  that  did  not  produce  ice.     On  ten 
mornings  the  mercury  ranged  from  15  to  25. 
One  and  three  quarter  inches  of  rain  fell  during 
the  month. 


64  MARCH. 

1837.  The   medium    temperature    of  this 
month  was  39.     It  commenced  with  a  snow- 
storm, which  continued  moderately  for  three 
days,  and  had  not  a  great  part  of  the  snow 
melted,  there  would  probably  have  been  twelve 
inches.     On  the  afternoon  of  the  3d,  the  wind 
changed  from  north-east  to  north-west,  and  it 
cleared  intensely  cold,  so  that  on  the  morning 
of  the  4th,  the  mercury  was  only  5  degrees 
above  zero,  and  it  did  not  rise  above  22  the 
whole  day.     On  the  morning  of  the  5th,  it  was 
20,  and  on  the  6th  it  was  22,  which  is  10  be- 
low the  freezing  point.     On  the  7th  the  wea- 
ther moderated,  and  it  was  alternately  cold  and 
mild  until  the  18th,  when  the  wind  southed, 
and  the  weather  became  spring-like,  and  vege- 
tation came  forward  rapidly.     Some  rain  fell 
on  the  13th,  18th,  23d,  and  27th.     Three  and 
three  quarter  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the 
month. 

1838.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  41.     It  was  clear  and  cold  until  the 
5th — the  mercury  ranging  from  18  to  21.     On 
the  5th  and  8th,  it  snowed  and  rained.     After 
this,  the  weather  became  mild,  and  so  continued 
during  the  remainder  of  the  month,  with  the 
exception   of  a  few  days.     Three   and   three 
quarter  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1839.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  wras  41.     Notwithstanding  the  weather 
during  the  first  week,  partook  very  much  of  the 
nature  of  the  lion,  yet  the  subsequent  part  of 
the  month  assumed  very  much  the  disposition 


MARCH.  65 

of  the  lamb.     The  quantity  of  rain  which  fell 
during  the  month  was  one  and  a  half  inches. 

1840.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  44.     It  commenced   uncommonly 
warm ;  the  mercury  ranged  at  sunrise,  (during 
the  first  seven  days,)  from  38  to  53;  and  dur- 
ing mid-day,  from  56  to  70.     But  on  the  night 
of  the  7th,  the  wind  changed   from   south  to 
north-west,  and  the  cold  increased  so  rapidly 
during  the  night,  that  on  the  morning  of  the 
8th,  it  had  sunk  to  22,  which  is  10  below  the 
freezing   point.     It   continued   cold  until   the 
1 5th,  when  a  little  snow  and  rain  fell — after 
which  it  became  mild,  and  (with  the  exception 
of  a  few  days,)  it  continued  so  until  the  month 
closed.     About  three  inches  of  snow  fell  during 
the  month,  and  two  and  a  half  inches  of  rain. 
There  were  many  frosty  nights. 

1841.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  40,  and  six  inches  of  rain  fell,  and 
about  ten  inches  of  snow.     On  the  17th  the 
sleighs  ran  in  multitudes,  both  in  and  out  of 
the  city.     But  the  rain  of  the  18th  spoiled  all 
the  sleighing  for  this  season.      The  mercury 
varied  during  the  month,  from  20  to  70.    There 
was   much   boisterous  weather,  which  did   a 
great  deal  of  damage  to  vessels  on  the  coast  and 
in  harbours.     On  the  3d  of  the  month,  between 
ten  and  eleven  o'clock  in  the  evening,  there 
were  two  rings  round  the  moon,  which  reflect- 
ed all  the  beautiful  colours  of  the  rainbow. 

1842.  The    medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  47.     A  little  snow  fell  on  three 


66  MARCH. 

days ;  not  one  inch  in  all — and  a  little  rain  on 
thirteen  days,  the  whole  measuring  but  three 
inches.  The  weather  was  very  variable ;  the 
mercury  ranging  from  24  to  73.  There  was 
thunder  and  lightning  on  the  15th  and  18th. 
On  the  23d,  while  the  apricot  and  peach  trees 
were  in  blossom  in  the  country,  a  cool  rain  de- 
scended, which  covered  the  trees  with  icicles. 

1843.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  only  30,  and  snow  fell  on  five  days, 
measuring  in  the  whole  about  fifteen  inches, 
and  four  inches  of  rain  fell.  The  snow-storm 
of  the  16th  was  the  most  severe  and  violent 
that  had  occurred  for  many  long  years,  in  the 
month  of  March;  during  this  storm,  twelve 
inches  of  snow  fell  in  Philadelphia,  and  blew 
into  banks  from  four  to  five  feet  high  in  many 
of  the  streets.  It  was  the  coldest  March  month 
we  have,  or  can  find  on  record.  On  fourteen 
mornings  the  mercury  ranged  from  13  to  20 
above  zero ;  and  there  were  only  three  morn- 
ings during  the  month  that  the  mercury  was 
above  the  freezing  point.  From  the  1st  of  Feb- 
ruary to  the  8th  of  April,  the  weather  was 
steady  cold.  The  New  York  papers  said,  that 
during  the  violent  storm  of  the  16th,  snow  fell 
in  that  city  to  the  depth  of  two  feet,  and  blew 
into  banks  six  feet  high ;  that  the  country  roads 
were  so  banked  up,  that  no  mails  arrived  from 
the  north  and  east  for  two  or  three  days.  We 
received  similar  accounts  from  Baltimore  and 
Washington.  Also,  from  the  west,  the  north, 
and  the  east  as  far  as  Massachusetts,  New 
Hampshire,  and  Maine.  Vessels  on  the  coast 


MARCH.  67 

and  in  harbours,  received  great  damage,  and 
there  were  several  shipwrecks,  and  great  loss 
of  property  and  lives. 

1844.  The  medium    temperature    of   this 
month  was  42,  and  four  and  a  half  inches  of 
rain  fell ;  but  not  a  half  inch  of  snow  fell  in 
Philadelphia.     From  the  1st  to  the  18th,  the 
weather  was  tolerably  mild,  with  the  exception 
of  three  days.     On  the  18th,  there  was  a  smart 
snow-squall,  after  which  it  was  quite  cool  for  a 
week.     The  remainder  of  the  month  was  very 
pleasant.     The  New  England  papers  said,  the 
past  winter   was   the   most   severe   for   many 
years.     In  Vermont  and  a  part  of  Maine,  there 
was  five  months'  sleighing,  from  the  20th  Octo- 
ber to  20th  March. 

1845.  The    medium   temperature    of   this 
month  was  44;  two  and  a  half  inches  of  rain 
fell,  and  a  very  little  snow,  which  soon  melted. 
The  weather  for  one  week  was  very  variable, 
producing  the  temperature  of  the  four  seasons; 
with   the    above   exception,   the   weather  was 
mild   during   the   month.     On  four  days  the 
mercury  ranged  from  70  to  74;  and  on  four 
days  from  26  to  32. 

1846.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  42.     Four  and  a  half  inches  of  rain, 
and  about  two  inches  of  snow  fell  in  this  vi- 
cinity.    On  the  mornings  of  the  1st  and  2d, 
the  mercury  was  only  15  above  zero,  and  on 
the  3d  and  4th,  20  above,  which  is  12  below 
the  freezing  point.     With  the  exception  of  nine, 
it  froze  every  night  during  the  month  in  this 
city. 


RECORD   OF   THE  WEATHER 

IN  PHILADELPHIA, 

FOB,    THE    MONTH    OP 

APRIL. 


11  When  verdure  clothes  the  fertile  vale, 

And  blossoms  deck  the  spray, 
And  fragrance  breathes  in  every  gale, 

How  sweet  the  vernal  day  !" 

1790.  The   medium    temperature    of    this 
month   was  50.      Although  there  was  much 
mild   and   pleasant  weather,    yet    there  were 
several  frosty  nights.     As  usual  in  this  month, 
showers  were  frequent,  and  an  easterly  wind, 
with  a  drizzling  rain  and  chilly  atmosphere, 
prevailed  for  two  or  three  days;  but  vegeta- 
tion progressed  very  well,  and  the  trees  were 
full  of  blossoms. 

1791.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  54.     The  month  commenced  warm 
and  pleasant,  but  chilly  wet  weather  followed 
until  the  llth,  when  the  wind  changed  from 
east  to  west,  and  most  delightful  warm  grow- 
ing weather  ensued,  and  continued  through  the 
remainder  of  the  month,  with  occasional  show- 
ers, so  that  vegetation  came  forward  very  ra- 
pidly. 

1792.  The    medium    temperature    of  this 


APRIL.  69 

month  was  52.  It  was  rather  cold  until  the 
7th  and  the  nights  frosty,  after  which  an 
agreeable  change  took  place,  and  it  was  re- 
markably mild  and  pleasant  the  remainder  of 
the  month,  with  the  exception  of  three  days  of 
easterly  wet  weather. 

1793.  The    medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  46,  and  there  was  much  cold,  wet 
weather,  and  very  frosty  nights,  until  after  the 
middle  of  the  month.     Vegetation  was  back- 
ward.     The   last   two  weeks,  however,  were 
warm,  and  vegetation  took  a  rapid  start,  and 
at  the  close,  the  month  looked  promising. 

1794.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  44.     It  commenced  mild,  but  from 
the  5th  to  the  12th  it  was  cold  and   stormy 
with  both  rain  and  snow,  and  every  thing  had 
a  discouraging  appearance.     There  was  ice  on 
several   mornings.      On    the    13th,  the  wind 
southed,  and  warm,  growing  weather  ensued, 
which   brought   forward  the    fruit    trees  and 
vegetation,  with  an  almost  unprecedented  ra- 
pidity. 

1795.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  50.     It  commenced  with  a  warm 
rain,  which   cleared  up   with  a  warm  south- 
west wind,  and  perhaps,  two  weeks  of  more 
rapidly  growing  weather    was    scarcely  ever 
witnessed.     During  the  third  week,  there  was 
an  easterly  rain  storm,  which  cleared  with  a 
cool  north-west  wind,   which  produced  some 
slight  frosts.     The  last  week  was  very  pleasant 
and  mild,  and  vegetation  being  very  forward, 
the  agriculturalist  was  highly  encouraged. 


70  APRIL. 

1796.  The    medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  48.     With  the  exception  of  a  few 
frosty  nights,  the  weather  was  mild,  which, 
with  frequent  showers,  and  mid-day  hot  sun- 
shine, vegetation  thrived  well,  and  the   trees 
were  white  with  blossoms,  which  caused  all 
nature  to  appear  botanical,  and  to  perfume  the 
air  with  odorous  scents. 

1797.  The    medium   temperature    of  this 
month  was  46.     It  commenced  mild,  and  so 
continued  until  the  8th,  when  a  week  of  easter- 
ly wet  chilly  weather  ensued,  after  which  the 
wind  southed,  and  varied  from  south  to  west 
for  two  weeks,  during  which  the  weather  was 
warm  and  delightfully  pleasant  until  the  month 
closed.     The  wheat  looked  very  promising. 

1798.  The    medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  44.     It  commenced  cold,  wet  and 
frosty ;   and  there  was  ice   several   mornings 
during  the  first  week,  after  which  it  gradually 
became   milder,  and    on  the   12th,   the  wind 
changed  to  south-west,  and  the  weather  became 
very  warm,  which  soon  put  a  new  face  upon 
vegetation,  and  by  the  first  of  May,  it  was  al- 
most as   forward  as  usual,  except  the   grass, 
which  was  very  backward. 

1799.  The   medium     temperature   of    this 
month  was  45,  and  it  was  cool  until  the  7th, 
with  the  wind  at  north-east,  and  some  rain  fell 
on  several  days  in  succession.     After  which 
the  wind   southed,  and  the  weather   became 
warm,  and  very  pleasant,  and  vegetation  came 
forward  very  rapidly.  Frequent  warm  showers 


APRIL.  71 

made  the  grass  spring  finely.     There  was  no 
frost  after  the  first  week  in  this  month. 

1800.  The    medium   temperature   of    this 
month   was   47.      It   commenced    with    cold 
frosty  nights,  but  after  some  snow  squalls,  and 
cloudy,  wet  weather,  the  wind  southed,  and 
the  weather  became  very  warm  and  pleasant, 
and  vegetation  came  forward  very  rapidly,  and 
by  the  first  of  May,  every  thing  looked  very 
promising. 

1801.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month    was  54.      It    commenced  gay,    mild, 
and  very  pleasant  and  so  continued  with  oc- 
casional  refreshing  showers,   and   some   very 
warm  days,  through  the  whole  month.     Vege- 
tation was  forward,  and  looked  well. 

1802.  The    medium   temperature   of   this 
month    was  52.     Many  trees   were  in  bloom 
and   vegetation   appeared  forward,    and    very 
promising.      On  a   few  mornings   there   was 
light   frost,   but   not   sufficient   to    do   injury. 
Frequent  showers,  and  a  warm  sun,  made  the 
grass  to  grow  for  cattle,  and  herbs  for  man. 

1803.  The    medium   temperature    of  this 
month  was  54,  and  it  commenced  warm  and 
pleasant,  but  there  was  a  re-action  in  the  sec- 
ond week,  which  produced  some  frosty  nights, 
that  killed  the  bean  vines,   &c.     It  however 
soon  became  warm  again,  and  so  continued  the 
remainder  of  the  month. 

1804.  The  medium    temperature    of  this 
month  was  50,   and  the   weather  was  quite 


72  APRIL. 

variable.  Sometimes  a  chilly  north-east  wind 
prevailed  for  several  days.  The  wind  then 
changed  to  the  west,  and  it  was  pleasant  and 
warm  for  about  a  week,  when  some  rain  fell ; 
after  which  warm  April  weather  continued  un- 
til the  month  closed.  Vegetation  not  so  forward 
as  usual. 

1805.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  52.  Frequent  showers  and  warm 
sunshine  brought  vegetation  forward  very  rap- 
idly. Every  thing  looked  thriving,  healthy 
and  promising,  until  the  third  week,  when  the 
wind  changed  from  west  to  north,  and  some 
frosty  nights  folio  wed,  which  did  much  injury 
to  delicate  plants,  but  most  of  them  recovered, 
so  soon  as  the  wind  changed  to  south-west,  and 
the  atmosphere  became  warm. 

J806.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  47,  and  there  were  some  very  frosty 
nights  and  squally  days,  with  wind  at  north- 
west. But  after  the  squalls  passed  over,  the 
warm  sun  soon  melted  the  snow,  and  the  plants 
looked  more  beautiful  than  ever.  On  the  llth, 
the  wind  changed  to  south-west,  and  spring 
weather  set  in  in  earnest,  and  made  every  thing 
else  spring.  There  was  really  a  joyful  time 
with  the  farmers  and  gardeners,  and  they  all 
went  to  work  as  if  they  were  inspired  with 
new  life  and  animation,  and  their  labours  were 
abundantly  blessed,  as  the  season  proved  a  very 
fruitful  one. 

1807.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  49.  The  month  opened  beautifully, 


APRIL.  73 

with  many  trees  in  full  bloom,  and  early  vege- 
tation in  considerable  forwardness.  About  the 
middle  of  the  month,  there  was  some  cool 
easterly  weather  for  nearly  a  week,  which  retard- 
ed the  progress  of  vegetation  a  little,  but  a 
warm  westerly  wind  succeeding  the  easterly, 
soon  gave  a  spur  to  vegetation  again,  and  the 
month  closed  with  some  wheat-fields  in  head, 
and  early  potatoes  and  corn  several  inches 
high. 

1808.  The   medium   temperature    of   this 
month  was  50,  and  the  weather  was  very  like 
that  of  the  corresponding  month  of  last  year, 
excepting  that  showers  were   more   frequent, 
and  there  were  two  severe  thunder-gusts.     Ve- 
getation was  very  forward,  and  looked  very  en- 
couraging. 

1809.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  46.     It  commenced  with  a  cold,  dry 
north-wester,  that  continued  for  several  days, 
after  which  the  wind  backed  out  to  the  east, 
and  for  several  days  it  was  very  chilly,  damp 
and  drizzly.     About  the  middle  of  the  month, 
the  wind  worked  round  to  the  south,  and  after 
a  real  pour  down  rain,  it  cleared  with  a  warm 
westerly  wind,  and  the  remainder  of  the  month 
was  exceedingly  pleasant. 

1810.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  48.     It  commenced  warm  and  plea- 
sant, with  every  thing  botanical  about  it.   Many 
trees  were  white  or  variegated  with  blossoms 
and   leaves,    and   vegetation  had   made   some 
progress.     The  month  abounded  with  showers, 

7* 


74  APRIL. 

and  there  were  some  very  frosty  nights,  which 
destroyed  many  apricot  and  peach  bulbs ;  but 
those  on  the  under  boughs  or  limbs  were  not 
much  injured.  Vegetation  generally  was  very 
forward  and  promising. 

1811.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was   50;    and   the  wind   and   weather 
were  more 'fluctuating  than  usual.     The  month 
commenced  warm  and  pleasant,  but  the  wind 
changing  to  the  east,  produced  a  chilly  atmos- 
phere, and  then  a  rain  storm,  which  was  fol- 
lowed by  a  cool  north-wester.     On  the  12th 
the  wind  veered  to  the  west,  and  then  to  south- 
west,  and  the  remainder   of  the   month    was 
warm  growing  weather ;  the  earth  being  kept 
moist  by  frequent  showers. 

1812.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  48,  and  the  first  week  was  cold,  with 
the  wind  varying  from  north  to  east,  and  pro- 
ducing some  frosty  nights.     The  wind,  how- 
ever, changed  to  south  on  the  8th,  and  warm 
sunshine  and  fertilizing  showers  gave  such  a 
wonderful  impetus  to  vegetation,  that  its  pro- 
gress was  very  perceptible  from  day  to  day. 

1813.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was   49 ;    it  commenced   with   a   mild 
westerly  wind,  which  southed  on  the  4th,  and 
after  some  copious  showers,  vegetation  came 
forward  with  great  rapidity.     It  was  remarked 
that  winter  grain  never  looked  more  promising 
than  it  did  at  the  close  of  the  month. 

1814.  The  medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  48.     The  first  week  was  uncom- 


APRIL.  75 

monly  mild  and  pleasant.  Vegetation  was  for- 
ward, and  the  trees  were  white  with  blossoms. 
An  easterly  wind,  and  damp,  drizzly  atmos- 
phere prevailed  during  the  second  week.  But 
the  third  week  brought  fine  summer-like  wea- 
ther, with  southerly  winds.  Vegetation  im- 
proved every  day  during  the  remainder  of  the 
month. 

1815.  The   medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  52,  and   it   opened  with  a  warm 
south-west  wind  and  vegetation  looking  well,  and 
progressed  finely  under  the  influence  of  a  warm 
sun  and  frequent  showers,  until  the  21st.  when 
the  wind  changed  to  the  north-east,  and  several 
raw,  chilly,  cloudy,  wet  days  ensued.     But  the 
26th    brought  fine    warm,  growing    weather 
again. 

1816.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  47.     It  commenced  mild,  but  did 
not   maintain  its  credit;    as  Jack  Frost  came 
along  mounted  upon  a  cold,  boisterous  north- 
wester, and  made  every  thing  tremble  and  shiver 
before    him.      The    blustering    snow    squalls 
which  followed,  would  have  been  more  suitable 
for  January  than  April.     After  the  wind  lulled, 
ice  formed  on  several  nights,  half  an  inch  thick, 
which  destroyed  all  the  buds,  and  almost  every 

green  thing. 

x 

1817.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  53,  and  the  weather  was  not  only 
mild  and  spring-like,  but  a  part  of  it  was  like 
mid-summer.     Vegetation  came  forward  with 


76  APRIL. 

surprising  rapidity,  and  there  was  every  pros- 
pect of  abundance  of  fruit. 

1818.  The   medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  54,  and  the  weather  was  very  simi- 
lar to  that  of  the  corresponding  month  of  last 
year,  excepting  that  showers  were  more  fre- 
quent, and  there  was  considerable  thunder  and 
lightning  for  so  early  in  the  season. 

1819.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  53.     It  commenced  mild,  with  a 
clear  atmosphere,  and  westerly  wind.     On  the 
5th  the  wind  southed,  and  it  rained  moderately 
nearly  all  day.     From  the  6th  to  the  13th  it  was 
very  warm,  and  vegetation  advanced  rapidly. 
On  the  14th,  an  easterly  breeze  sprung  up,  and 
the  weather  was  cool  and  damp  for  several  days. 
But  the  wind  veered  round  to  the  south  and 
south-west,  and  it  became  warm  and  very  plea- 
sant,   and   the   winter   grain   began   to   head. 
Early  corn,  beans,  peas,  and  garden  truck,  all 
looked   very   promising,   but    more   rain   was 
needed. 

1820.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  54.     It  commenced  with  rain,  but 
it  soon  cleared  with  a  westerly  wind,  both  mild 
and  pleasant.     Westerly,    south-westerly  and 
southerly  winds  prevailed  a  great  part  of  the 
month.     Vegetation    was    very   forward,   and 
looked  very  promising.    There  was  plenty  of 
rain,  and  some  thunder  and  lightning. 

1821.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  53.    The  month  opened  delightfully 
pleasant  and  so  continued  until  the  13th,  with 


APRIL.  77 

the  occasional  interruption  of  some  copious 
showers.  After  this,  the  wind  changed  to 
north  and  then  to  north-east,  and  the  atmos- 
phere became  quite  chilly,  and  on  two  or  three 
mornings  there  were  slight  frosts.  But  this 
cool  weather  did  not  continue  long.  On  the 
19th  the  wind  took  a  westerly  direction,  and 
the  weather  became  quite  warm,  and  so  con- 
tinued until  the  month  closed.  Vegetation 
looked  very  promising. 

1822.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  52.     It  commenced  cool  and  a  little 
squally.     The  snow  flew  in  every  direction,  as 
if  it  was  afraid  to  light  any  where.     Old  Sol 
soon  made  his  appearance,  and  devoured  the 
whole   of    it   at   one   meal.     The   wind   now 
changed   to   south-west,  and  the  weather  as- 
sumed a  milder  aspect,  but  it  was  very  variable 
during  the  whole  month.     There  were  several 
frosty  nights. 

1823.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  51,   arid  during  which  there  was 
much   cold,   frosty  weather,   and   some   snow 
squalls.     After  the  first  two  weeks  it  became 
quite  mild  arid  pleasant,  and  vegetation  revived 
and  came  forward  with  great  promise. 

1824.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  54.     It  commenced  warm  and  plea- 
sant, and  so  continued  until  the  9th,  afterwards 
there  was  a  cool,  damp,  overcast  atmosphere 
and  easterly  wind  for  several  days,  after  which, 
the  wind  southed,  and  it  rained  powerfully  for 
an  hour  or  two.     It  then  cleared  quite  warm, 


78  APRIL. 

and  so  continued  during  the  remainder  of  the 
month.     Vegetation  very  forward. 

1825.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  55,  and  it  was  a  delightful  month 
for  showers  and  warm  sunshine.     Vegetation 
unusually  forward,  and  it  never  looked  more 
promising.     Only  one  inch  of  rain  fell  during 
the  month. 

1826.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  56,  and  the  weather  was  very  like 
that  of  the  corresponding  month  of  the  last 
year,  except  that  thunder  and  lightning  were 
more   frequent.     Vegetation   was   nearly   two 
weeks   in   advance   of    some    seasons.      Four 
inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1827.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month   was   50,    which   was    the    coldest   for 
eleven  years.     The  heavy  frosts  destroyed  the 
early  garden  truck  ;  also,  most  of  the  peach 
and  apricot  bulbs.     Vegetation  very  backward, 
and  farmers  and  gardeners  quite  desponding. 
Three  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1828.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  56,  and  it  was  indeed  a  most  de- 
lightful month  of  fine  growing  weather.     Hot 
days,  warm    nights,    and    frequent    showers, 
caused  all  nature  to  spring  and  flourish.     Four 
inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1829.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  55,  and  it  opened  very  pleasantly, 
and  with  the  aid  of  fine  showers  and  warm  sun- 
shine, vegetation  progressed  rapidly.     It  how- 


APRIL.  79 

ever  met  with  a  little  check  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  third  week,  by  a  chilly  easterly 
wind  for  a  few  days,  which  it  soon  recovered 
from,  and  the  remainder  of  the  month  was  warm 
and  pleasant.  Five  inches  of  rain  fell  during 
the  month. 

1830.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  54.     It   commenced   cool,  cloudy 
and  chilly,  with  the  wind  east ;  but  on  the  4th, 
the  wind  changed  to  the  west,  and  afterwards 
to  south-west  and  south.     After  a  rainy  day,  it 
cleared  warm,  and  the  weather  was  very  fine, 
with  alternate  showers  until  the  month  closed. 
Vegetation  was  very  promising.     Two  inches 
of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1831.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  53.     Its  commencement  was  mild 
and  pleasant,  but  after  the  10th,  both  the  wind 
and  the  weather  were  very  changeable.    There 
were  easterly  and  westerly  winds,  and  fair  wea- 
ther and  foul,  warm  and  cool,   but,  after  all, 
vegetation  looked  very  flourishing.   Five  inches 
of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1832.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  55.     The  first  week  was  cool,  damp, 
easterly  weather.  The  wind  afterwards  changed 
to  south-west,  and  two  weeks  of  mild  and  ra- 
pidly growing  weather   followed.     The  wind 
then  changed  to  south-east,  and  after  one  rainy 
day,  the  wind  wested,  and  the  residue  of  the 
month  was  warm  and  pleasant,  with  occasional 
showers.     Three  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the 
month. 


80  APRIL. 

1833.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  54.     The  wind  and  weather  were 
very  changeable.     But  much  warm,  showery, 
growing  weather  prevailed.     The  wind  boxed 
the  compass  several  times;   it   scarcely  blew 
three  days  at  a  time  from  one  direction.     Only 
half  an  inch  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1834.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was   53.     More  easterly  damp,  chilly 
weather  prevailed  this  month  than  is  usual  for 
April,  but  she  was  not  without  her  warm  south- 
erly  winds   occasionally,    and    her    fertilizing 
showers  and  hot  sunshines   made   vegetation 
spring   again.     During    the   fore-part   of    the 
month  there  were  some  frosty  nights.     Three 
inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1835.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  56  ;    and  there   was,  during   this 
month,  much  warm,  splendid  spring  weather, 
which   made   every  thing  flourish.     Showers 
were  frequent,  and  thunder  and  lightning  oc- 
casionally severe.     Four  and  a  half  inches  of 
rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1836.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  50.     Although  there  were  few  very 
frosty  nights  and  cool  days  during  the  month, 
yet  there  was  also  an  uncommon  number  of 
very  warm  summer-like  days.     On  five  days, 
from   twelve   to   three    o'clock,    the   mercury 
ranged  from  70  to  76  ;  but,  on  six  days,  it  only 
varied  from  40  to  48  during  mid-day,  and  dur- 
ing the  night  from  28  to  38.     Three  and  a  half 
inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 


APRIL.  81 

1837.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  50;  it  commenced  and  continued 
cool  until  the  llth,  during  which,  there  were 
several   very  frosty  nights.     The   subsequent 
week  was  very  mild.     But  from  the  18th  to  the 
close   of    the    month,   the    weather    was    va- 
riable ;  the  mercury  ranging  from  38  to  52  at 
sunrise,  and  during  mid-day,  from  48  to  80.    A 
little  snow  fell  on  the  4th  and  23d,  and  some 
rain  fell  on  four  days.     Vegetation  was  very 
backward,  and  fruit   buds   much   injured   by 
frost.      Three  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the 
month. 

1838.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  47.     This  was  the  coldest  month  of 
April  since  1816.     There  was  ice  on  five  morn- 
ings and  frost  on  eleven  other  mornings.     On 
the  14th  and  24th  a  little  snow  fell ;  and  on 
eleven  days  some  rain  fell.     On   eight  days 
only,  the  mercury  rose  above  60  at  mid-day. 
Three  and  a  half  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the 
month. 

From  long  experience,  I  have  observed  that 
there  is  about  the  same  amount  of  cold,  one 
year  with  another.  If  we  do  not  have  it  in  the 
winter  months,  we  are  sure  to  have  the  deficit 
made  up  in  the  course  of  the  subsequent  sea 
sons.  The  greatest  difference  I  have  ever 
known  in  the  medium  temperature  of  any  year 
was  5  degrees ;  in  1816  it  was  49,  and  in  1825 
it  was  54.  All  the  other  years  from  1790  to 
the  present,  were  from  50  to  53. 

1839.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  54,  and  it  commenced  with  a  cold 

8 


82  APRIL. 

northerly  wind,  that  continued  until  the  4th, 
and  produced  frosty  nights.  On  the  P.  M.  of 
the  4th  the  wind  southed,  and  the  weather  was 
quite  like  summer  until  the  13th;  the  wind 
then  changed  to  north-east,  and  it  continued 
cool  until  the  23d,  when  the  wind  changed  to 
south-west,  and  the  remainder  of  the  month 
was  very  warm  ;  the  mercury  ranging  at  mid- 
day from  68  to  82.  Only  one  and  a  half  inches 
of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1840.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  55|.     During  this  month  there  was 
the  temperature  of  winter,  spring  and  summer. 
There  was  thin  ice  on  four  mornings,  and  frost 
on  six.     On  nine  days  the  mercury  ranged  from 
twelve  to  three  o'clock  from  50  to  60 ;  on  ten 
days  from  63  to  70 ;  on  five  days  from  70  to 
76  ;  on  four  days  from  82  to  84.     Seven  inches 
of  rain  fell,  which  is  the  greatest  quantity  in 
any  month  of  April  for  twenty  years. 

1841.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  47,  and  the  quantity  of  rain  which 
fell  was  six  and  a  half  inches.     On  the  10th 
there   was   a   north-east   snow   storm,    during 
which   about  six  inches  of  snow  fell.     On  the 
12th  there  was  another,  when  from  ten  to  twelve 
inches  fell  in  this  city,  and  much  more  fell  in 
the  country.     Had  not  much  of  it  melted,  there 
would  have  been  good  sleighing.     This  snow 
storm   extended   south   to   Virginia ;    west   to 
Ohio  ;  north  to  Vermont ;  and  east  through  all 
the  New  England  states,  to  the  extreme   part 
of  Maine.     A  few  inches  more  fell  on  the  13th 
and    14th,   after  which   some    rain    followed. 


APRIL.  83 

Some  rain  fell  on  ten  days  during  the  month. 
On  the  2d,  at  mid-day,  the  mercury  rose  to  70 ; 
on  no  other  day  did  it  rise  above  65  ;  on  eight 
days  at  sunrise,  it  was  from  30  to  37 ;  on  the 
12th,  it  did  not  rise,  even  at  mid-day,  above 
34 ;  on  five  days  it  ranged  from  40  to  47  at 
mid-day.  During  the  remainder  of  the  month, 
the  mercury  varied  on  different  days,  from  50 
to  60,  excepting  on  three  days  it  rose  to  65,  and 
on  one  day  to  70. 

1842.  The    medium    temperature    of  this 
month  was  53,  and  the  quantity  of  rain  which 
fell  was  five  and  a  quarter  inches.     It  was  in- 
deed a  weeping  month,  for  it  wept  sorely  on 
sixteen  days.     But  not  a  particle  of  snow  fell 
in  this  vicinity  during  the  month ;  and  there 
was  not  a  particle  of  ice  except  on  the  morning 
of  the  first  day.     On  seven  days  the  mercury 
ranged  from  70  to  80  during  mid-day  ;  on  ten 
days  from  60  to  69  ;  the  remainder  of  the  month 
it  ranged  from  44  to  59  at  mid-day.     At  the 
close  of  the  month,  vegetation  was  in  a  good 
state  of  forwardness. 

1843.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  50,  and  the  quantity  of  rain  that 
fell  was  four  and  three  quarter  inches.    A  little 
snow  fell  on  the  4th,  5th  and  9th,  about  two 
inches  in  all.     The  month  commenced  with  a 
wintry  atmosphere;  the  mercury  at  31,  and  ice 
a  quarter  of  an  inch  thick,  and  it  continued  cold 
and   frosty   until  the    12th,    when    the   wind 
changed  from  north  to  south-west,  and  the  wea- 
ther became  mild  and  spring-like,  and  so  con- 
tinued during  the  remainder  of  the  month    On 


84  APRIL. 

four  days  during  the  last  week,  the  mercury 
ranged  from  70  to  75  at  mid-day. 

1844.  The  medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  56,  and  one  and   a  half  inches  of 
rain  fell,  but  not  a  flake  of  snow  in  this  vicinity. 
The  month  commenced  cold,  with  mercury  26 
at  sunrise,  and  ice  half  an  inch  thick,  and  it 
continued  cold  until  the  4th,  when  the  mercury 
ran  up  to  74  at  mid -day ;  on  the  llth,  to  76  ; 
on  the  14th,  to  78  ;  on  the  15th,  to  84 ;  and  on 
eleven  other  days,  it  was  from  70  to  76  ;  on  five 
days,  from  60  to  68;  the  remainder  of  the  month 
ranged  from  42  to  58  at  mid-day.     At  the  close 
of  the  month  vegetation  looked  very  flourishing. 

1845.  The   medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  53,  and  two  and  a  half  inches  of 
rain  fell.     On  the  25th   there   was   a   heavy 
thunder  shower  with  very  vivid  lightning.  On 
the  6th  and  8th,  there  were  snow  squalls.     On 
four  mornings  there  was  frost,  and  one  morn- 
ing ice.     The  month  commenced  and  contin- 
ued mild  until  the  8th.     From  the  8th  to  the 
13th,  it  was  quite  cool  and  frosty.    On  the  13th 
the  wind  changed  from  north-wrest  to  south,  and 
the  remainder  of  the  month  (with  the  exception 
of  four  days)  was  not  only  mild,  but  summer- 
like,  and  vegetation  came  forward  with  great 
rapidity.    Only  a  few  sprinkles  of  rain  fell  from 
the  23d  of  March  to  the  19th  of  April  in  this 
vicinity,  when   it  rained   moderately  for  ten 
hours. 

1846.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  52J,  and  two  inches  and  one-tenth 


APRIL.  85 

of  rain  fell.  There  was  a  snow  squall  on  the 
13th,  and  on  nine  mornings  there  was  slight 
frost.  On  six  days  the  mercury  wras  from  70 
to  76,  one  day  78,  and  one  day  80,  during  mid- 
day. A  great  part  of  the  month  the  weather 
was  mild  and  pleasant  in  Philadelphia  and  vi- 
cinity, particularly  during  mid-day.  On  the 
24th,  the  mercury  during  mid-day,  in  the 
shade,  was  80  in  Boston,  New  York,  and  in 
Philadelphia ;  in  Baltimore  it  was  82  ;  and  in 
the  city  of  Washington,  84. 


8* 


RECORD    OF   THE    WEATHER 

IN    PHILADELPHIA, 


ran  THE  MOXTH  OF 


MAY. 


1790.  The   medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  56.     It  commenced  and  continued 
pleasant  until  the  7th,  when  the  wind  changed 
to  north-east,  and  several  days  of  wet,  chilly 
weather  ensued  ;  after  which  it  changed  to  the 
south  and  south-west,  and  then  followed  ten 
days   of    warm,    growing    weather.      Another 
change  then  took  place,  and  the  weather  was 
very   variable   during   the   remainder   of   the 
month — sometimes  rainy  and  sometimes  clear 
or  cloudy. 

1791.  The   medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  58,  and  much  rain  fell  during  the 
first  two  weeks.     It  then  cleared  cool  with  the 
wind  at  the  north-west.     On  the  18th  the  wind 
changed  to  west  and  then  to  south-west,  and 
the  remainder  of  the  month  was  mild  and  plea- 
sant. 

1792.  The    medium   temperature    of   this 
month  was  58,  and  it  was  a  month  of  many 
changes  and  vicissitudes.     After  a  long  east- 
erly rain  storm,  some  mild,  pleasant  weather 


MAY.  87 

followed  for  two  weeks ;  then  there  was  another 
north-east  storm,  during  which  some  marine 
disasters  occurred,  and  several  lives  were  lost. 
The  month  closed  very  pleasant. 

1793.  The   medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  62,  and  there  were  some  very  plea- 
sant May  mornings  from  the  1st  to  the  10th; 
after  which  the  wind  took  an  easterly  direction 
and   produced   some    overcast,   damp,    chilly, 
rainy  weather,  which  continued  until  the  15th, 
when  the  wind  changed  to  west  and  afterwards 
to  south-west,  and  a  warm  pleasant  season  en- 
sued, and  continued  until  the  month  closed. 

1794.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  61.     It  commenced  cool,  overcast, 
and  drizzly,  with  wind  east  until  the  7th,  when 
it  changed  to  south,  and  the  weather  continued 
warm  and  very  pleasant  until  the  20th,  when 
the  wind  changed  to  north-east  and  it  rained  for 
part  of  two  days,  and  it  continued  overcast  and 
cool  until  the  27th ;  the  wind  then  changed  to 
west  and  afterwards  to  south,  and  the  month 
ended  very  warm,  with  a  thunder  shower.  Vege- 
tation was  forward  and  very  promising,  and  there 
was  a  prospect  of  abundance  of  fruit. 

1795.  The   medium   temperature   of  this 
month  was  68,  and  it  was  a  remarkably  warm, 
growing  season,  and  just  rain  enough  to  pro- 
duce excellent  crops  of  hay,  and  fill  the  market 
with  abundance  of  vegetables  and  fruit.  There 
was  only  one  week  of  cool,  easterly  weather 
during  the  whole  month.     There  were  three 
thunder  gusts,  with  vivid  lightning. 


88  M  A  Y. 

1796.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  64,  and  the  first  week  was  very 
pleasant,  but  it  was  followed  by  ten  days  of 
very  cool,   drizzly,   rainy  weather,  with  wind 
varying  from  north  to  south-east,  after  which 
the  wind  changed  to  north-west,  and  blew  fresh 
and  cool  for  two  days ;  it  then  changed  to  west 
and  south,  and  a  spell  of  warm  summer-like 
weather  ensued  until  the  month  closed.    There 
was  a  light  frost  on  three  mornings. 

1797.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  64,  and  the  weather  was  mild  and 
pleasant  until  the  5th,  when  a  cold  north-east 
rain   storm  followed.     On   the  8th  the  wind 
southed,  and  the  weather  was  very  warm  and 
pleasant  until  the  17th,  when  the  wind  changed 
to  east,  and  a  great  deal  of  rain  fell  during  three 
days,  and  the  atmosphere  remained  overcast, 
damp,  and  chilly  until  the  23d,  when  the  wind 
changed  to  west,  and  the  weather  was  warm 
and  pleasant  during  the  remainder  of  the  month. 
Vegetation  looked  very  promising. 

1798.  The   medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  65,  and  much  rain  fell  during  the 
months  to  the  injury  of  corn  and  grain,  but  fa- 
vourable for  grass.     About  the  middle  of  the 
month  there  were  several  cool  nights,  but  no 
frost  in  this  vicinity  to  injure  any  thing.     On 
the  whole,  vegetation  looked  very  fair. 

1799.  The   medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  68,  and  it  commenced  warm  and 
pleasant ;  vegetation  was  forward  and  very  pro- 
mising, and  met  with  no   check  during  the 


M  A  Y.  89 

month.  Fruit  trees,  also,  promised  a  great 
abundance.  Showers  were  very  frequent,  but 
there  was  only  one  easterly  storm  during  the 
month. 

1800.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  70,  and  the  warmest  May  month 
we  have  yet  on  our  record.     There  were  but 
five  days  of  cool,  easterly  winds,  and  two  days 
north-west  wind,  all  the    rest  were  west  and 
south-west   and   south.     Vegetation  very  for- 
ward. 

1801.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  66.     It  commenced  with  a  warm 
south-west  wind,  and  so  continued  until  the 
8th,  when  the  wind  changed  to  east,  and  it  was 
rainy,  drizzly,  and  cloudy  until  the  llth,  when 
ten  days  of  warm  splendid  weather  followed. 
On  the  20th  the  wind  changed  to  north-east, 
and  overcast,  rainy  weather  continued  until  the 
25th,  when  the  wind  southed,  and  the  residue 
of  the  month  was   quite  warm  enough,  and 
vegetation  never  looked  better. 

1802.  The   medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  71,  and  it  was  proverbially  called 
"  The  hot  May  /"     Westerly,  south-westerly, 
and  southerly  winds  prevailed  a  great  part  of 
the  month.     There  was  only  one  easterly  rainy 
day,  but  there  were  three   thunder  showers. 
Not  more  than  half  as  much  rain  fell  as  usually 
falls  in  May. 

1803.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  60.     There  was  a  great  contrast  be- 
tween this  and  the  corresponding  month  of  last 


90  M  A  Y. 

year.  This  month  commenced  with  a  cold, 
north-east  wind,  and  a  thick,  overcast,  drizzly 
atmosphere.  On  the  5th  it  rained  and  blew 
violently,  after  which  it  continued  cloudy  and 
cool  until  the  14th,  when  it  rained  all  day.  On 
the  15th  the  wind  changed  to  north-west,  and  on 
the  17th  to  west,  and  afterwards  to  south-west, 
and  the  weather  was  clear  and  fine  until  the 
25th,  when  the  wind  changed  to  east,  and  it 
rained  and  drizzled  for  three  days ;  the  wind 
then  southed,  and  a  spell  of  warm  weather  fol- 
lowed. 

1804.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  62.     It  commenced  mild  and  very 
pleasant  with  the  wind  at  south-west,  but  on 
the  5th  it  changed  to  north-east,  and  a  chilly, 
overcast,  damp,  drizzly  atmosphere  ensued,  and 
on  the  7th  there  was  a  real  old-fashioned  rain 
storm.     The  weather  continued  overcast  and 
chilly  until  the  13th,  when  the  wind  changed 
to  west,  and   nine   days  of  fine   summer-like 
weather  followed,  which  was  very  reviving  to 
all  kinds  of  vegetation,  as  well  as  to  man  and 
beast.     On  the  23d,  the  wind  changed  to  south- 
east, and  rain  fell  powerfully  for  nearly  two 
days,  but  on  the  27th,  the  wind  changed  to  the 
west,  and  it  again  became  warm  and  pleasant, 
and  so  continued  until  the  month  closed.     Ve- 
getation looked  pretty  well,  and  there  was  a 
prospect  of  abundance  of  fruit  and  hay.     On 
the  llth,  there  was  a  great  storm  at  Newfound- 
land, and  eighty  vessels  were  lost. 

1805.  The    medium   temperature    of   this 
month  was  63.     It  commenced  with  a  delight- 
ful south-west  breeze,  and  a  warm,  growing  at- 


MAY.  .  91 

mosphere,  which  continued  until  the  7th,  when 
a  violent  thunder-gust  occurred,  accompanied 
by  vivid  lightning ;  at  the  close  of  which  the 
wind  changed  to  north-west,  and  the  atmos- 
phere became  so  cold  as  to  produce  frost,  which 
injured  bean  and  other  tender  vines.  On  the 
llth  the  wind  changed  to  west,  and  the  wea- 
ther became  very  mild.  On  the  15th  the  wind 
southed,  and  a  rainy  day  followed.  It  then 
cleared  with  a  westerly  wind,  and  it  was  fine 
growing  weather  the  remainder  of  the  month. 
Vegetation  and  fruit  looked  very  promising 
when  the  month  closed. 

1806.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  67,  and  it  commenced  under  very 
auspicious  circumstances,  as  all  nature  looked 
in  a  very  healthful  and  flourishing  condition. 
On  the  7th  the  wind  changed  to  south-east,  and 
a  very  seasonable  and  plentiful  rain  fell.     It 
soon  cleared  warm  again,  with  wind  at  south- 
west, and  no  month  of  May  ever  produced  finer 
weather.     It  was  warm,  with  seasonable  show- 
ers, and  vegetation  grew  apace.     Wheat,  rye, 
indian  corn,  oats,  and  every  thing  looked  well. 

1807.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  65.    The  weather  during  this  month 
was  very  variable.     A  great  deal  of  wet,  east- 
erly weather  prevailed  ;  also,  some  cool  north- 
west winds,  and  towards  the  close,  ten  days  of 
very  warm,  growing  weather.     But,  notwith- 
standing the  unpropitious  weather  for  nearly 
three  weeks,  vegetation  looked  tolerably  well. 

1808.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 


92  MAY. 

month  was  68,  and  a  month  of  fine  weather  it 
was,  with  but  very  few  exceptions,  the  wind 
being  at  north-east,  and  east  only  five  days  dur- 
ing the  whole  month,  which  produced  a  copious 
and  very  seasonable  rain ;  the  other  rain  that 
fell  was  in  showers.  The  wind  varied  from 
west  to  south  a  great  part  of  the  month,  and  the 
mercury  ranged  from  1 0  to  85  during  mid-day 
nearly  half  the  month.  Vegetation  at  the  close 
of  the  month  was  forward  and  very  promising. 

1809.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  64,  and  the  first  week  was  mild 
and  pleasant,  but  the  second  proved  quite  the 
reverse,  for  a  cold  north-east  wind  commenced, 
with  a  chilly,  overcast,  drizzly  atmosphere,  and 
then  a  real  pour-down  rain  ended  the  second 
week.     After  which  the  wind  changed  to  the 
west,  and  varied  to  south-west  and  south,  pro- 
ducing nearly  two  weeks   of  warm,  growing 
weather,  interspersed  with  refreshing  showers. 
On  the  28th,  the  wind  changed  to  south-east, 
and  a  plentiful  rain  followed. 

1810.  The    medium    temperature    of   this 
month  was  58.     It  commenced  with  a  north- 
east chilly  atmosphere,  which  produced  a  rain 
storm.     It  continued  cloudy,  damp,  and  cool, 
until  the  6th,  when  it  cleared  with  a  north- 
west wind.     On  the  8th,  the  wind  changed  to 
west,  and   the  atmosphere    gradually  became 
warm.     On  the  12th,  the  wind  southed,  and  it 
rained  nearly  all  day  ;  after  which  it  cleared 
very  warm,  and  so  continued  until  the  18th, 
when  another  easterly  rain  storm  ensued.     On 
the  22d  the  wind  changed  to  north-west,  and 


MAY.  93 

the  subsequent  day  to  west  and  south-west,  and 
the  weather  became  warm  and  pleasant,  and  so 
continued  until  the  month  closed.  Grass  was 
very  heavy.  Corn,  potatoes,  oats,  rye  and 
wheat,  looked  tolerably  fair  when  the  month 
closed. 

1811.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  62,  and  it  commenced   mild   and 
pleasant,  with  the  wind  at  the  west.     But  on 
the  3d  it  changed  to  the  south-west,  and  there 
was  a  smart  shower.     A  spell  of  warm,  plea- 
sant weather  then  followed  until  the  14th,  when 
the  wind  changed  to  south-east,  and  brought 
three  or  four  overcast  and  partly  rainy  days. 
The  wind  then  changed  to  south-west  again, 
and  very  warm,  growing  weather  followed  until 
the  month  closed.     Vegetation  was  rather  more 
forward  than  usual,  and  the  prospect  was  fa- 
vourable for  good  crops. 

1812.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  60.     It  commenced  overcast  and 
cool,  with  the  wind  at  south-east,  and  after  two 
or  three  days  of  drizzly,  unsettled  weather,  the 
wind  changed  to  south-west,  and  the  weather 
was  clear  and  fine  until  the  1 1th,  when  the  wind 
changed  to  north-east,  and  a  spell  of  rainy,  chilly 
weather  continued  until  the  16th,  after  which 
a  brisk  north-wester  blew  away  all  the  damp 
vapour,  and  brought  a  clear  warm  sunshine. 
The  wind  then  southed,  and  fine  growing  wea- 
ther continued  until  the  25th,   when  another 
cloudy,  overcast,  rainy  season  ensued,  with  an 
easterly  wind,  and  thus  closed  the  month. 

9 


94  MA  Y. 

1813.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  59 ;  and  it  was  about  equally  di- 
vided between  fine  warm  weather,  with  wester- 
ly winds,  and  cool  easterly  winds,  and  chilly, 
overcast,  rainy  weather.    But  vegetation  looked 
tolerably  well,  and  there  was  a  fair  prospect  of 
abundance  of  hay  and  grain,  and  vegetables  of 
all  kinds. 

1814.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  62.     The  month  commenced  de- 
lightfully pleasant,  and  showers  were  as  fre- 
quent as  in  April.     From  the  1st  to  the  20th, 
the   wind   was  quite  variable,  from  south  to 
north,  but  on  the  20th  there  was  a  north-east 
blow;  which  soon  produced  a  real  storm,  and 
the  rain  poured  down  copiously.     On  the  23d 
it  partly  cleared,  and  on  the  25th  the  wind 
southed,   and  the  weather   became   clear  and 
fine,  and  so  continued  the  remainder  of  the 
month. 

1815.  The    medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  64.     This  was  an  unusually  dry 
month  for  May,  although  she  did  not  forget  her 
easterly  rain  storm,  which,  however,  was  com- 
paratively  moderate.      Some   very  refreshing 
showers  kept  vegetation  in  a  very  thriving  con- 
dition.    Grass  appeared  short,  but   corn   and 
potatoes  looked  very  promising,  and  vegetation 
generally  very  fair. 

1816.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  57,  and  she  was  really  a  frosty  jade. 
Her  frowns  were  many,  and  her  smiles  few. 
Northerly  winds,  with  cold  frosty  nights  pre- 


MAY.  95 

vailed,  until  every  green  thing  was  either  killed 
or  withered.  A  melancholy  hue  appeared  to 
seal  the  fate  of  all  vegetable  life.  Buds  and 
small  fruit  froze  upon  the  trees.  On  some 
mornings  there  was  ice  from  a  quarter  to  half 
an  inch  thick,  in  exposed  situations.  Corn  was 
replanted  two  or  three  times,  and  very  little 
ever  came  to  perfection.  Westerly  and  south- 
west winds  prevailed  but  seven  days  during  the 
whole  month.  There  were  two  north-east  rain 
storms. 

1817.  The   medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  65,  and  it  was  a  month  of  uncom- 
monly fine  growing  weather.     Westerly,  south- 
westerly and  southerly  winds  prevailed  during 
almost  the  entire  month,  and  there  were  seve- 
ral thunder  showers.     It  is  true,  that  her  north- 
east rain  storm  was  not  forgotten,  and  the  wind 
was  north-west  for   two  days.      Appearances 
were  favourable  for  all  kinds  of  fruit  and  vege- 
tables. 

1818.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  62.     It  commenced  warm,  but  cool 
easterly  winds,  and  overcast,  rainy  weather  soon 
succeeded,  and  continued  until  the  10th,  when 
it  cleared  with  a  brisk  north-wester;   but  on 
the  13th  the  wind  changed  to  south-west,  and 
two  weeks  of  very  warm,  growing  weather  fol- 
lowed,  interspersed  with  fertilizing   showers. 
On  the  27th  the  wind  changed  to   east,   and 
several  overcast,  rainy  days  ensued,  and  the 
month  ended  with  rain. 

1819.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 


96  MAY. 

month  was  60.  It  commenced  with  a  cool,  east- 
erly wind,  and  a  damp,  overcast  atmosphere, 
which  soon  produced  small  showers  of  rain. 
On  the  5th  the  wind  changed  to  north-west, 
and  it  continued  coo]  for  several  days.  There 
were  two  or  three  frosty  nights,  which  did 
some  injury  to  bean  vines  and  other  tender 
plants ;  but  the  frost  was  not  so  severe  as  to 
destroy  them  altogether,  except  in  some  very 
exposed  situations.  On  the  9th,  the  wind 
changed  to  south-west,  and  a  warm  and  clear 
atmosphere  ensued,  and  continued  until  the 
15th,  when  the  wind  southed,  and  the  heavens 
were  enshrouded  with  black  and  portentous 
clouds,  charged  with  electric  fluid,  and  terrific 
thunder  and  lightning  followed,  such  as  the 
month  of  May  rarely  produces.  The  quantity 
of  rain  which  fell  was  small,  but  the  wind  was 
very  boisterous.  After  the  shower,  the  wind 
changed  to  north-west,  and  the  weather  was 
quite  cool  for  several  days,  and  two  mornings  a 
light  frost  was  perceptible.  On  the  20th,  the 
wind  changed  to  south-west,  and  the  remainder 
of  the  month  was  fine,  warm,  growing  weather : 
at  the  close  of  which,  vegetation  looked  pro- 
mising, but  rain  was  much  wanted. 

1820.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  62.  It  produced  much  pleasant, 
growing  weather,  with  some  very  seasonable 
rainy  days.  The  wind  was  very  changeable, 
and  from  the  third  w^eek  to  the  close  of  the 
month,  there  was  a  good  deal  of  cloudy,  damp, 
easterly  weather.  The  north-east  rain  storm 
did  not  occur  until  the  26th,  after  which  the 


MAY.  97 

wind  southed,  and  the  last  three  days  were 
quite  warm  and  pleasant. 

1821.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  65.  The  month  commenced  with  very 
warm,  growing  weather,  and  vegetation  looked 
finely.    On  the  10th  the  wind  changed  to  north- 
east, and  three  very  damp,  chilly  days  ensued, 
after  which  it  rained  part  of  two  days,  and  then 
cleared  with  a  warm  westerly  wind,  and  the 
weather  was  very  fine  until  the  23d,  when  a 
south-easterly  rain  storm  occupied  two  days ; 
and  it  continued  cloudy  until  the  morning  of 
the  27th,  when  the  wind  changed  to  west,  and 
four  very  warm  days  ensued,  and  thus  ended 
the  month,  with  a  prospect  of  good  crops  of 
wheat,  rye,  oats   and  hay,  and  abundance  of 
fruit. 

1822.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  70,  and  a  remarkably  warm  month 
it  was  indeed.     It  was  the  warmest  May  month 
for  twenty-two  years.     It  seemed  as  though  she 
was  determined  to  make  up  for  the  deficiency 
and  remissness  of  her  sister,  April.     Very  little 
rain  fell,  excepting  in  thunder  showers.    West- 
erly and  southerly  winds  prevailed  more  than 
three  quarters  of  the  month,  and  on  four  days 
the  mercury  rose  to  90  in  the  shade,  and  on 
fourteen  days  from  80  to  86,  at  mid-day,  in  the 
shade.     Vegetation  grew  very  rapidly  during 
the  whole  month.     The  prospect  for  fruit  was 
not  very  promising. 

1823.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  64,  and  there  was  a  good  deal  of 

9* 


98  MAY. 

wet,  easterly  weather  during  the  first  two  weeks, 
interspersed  by  some  pleasant  days.  On  the 
13th,  the  wind  changed  to  west,  and  it  varied 
from  this  point  to  south-west  and  south,  until 
the  23d,  producing  some  very  warm,  growing 
weather.  On  the  24th  the  wind  changed  to 
north-east,  and  several  days  of  overcast,  damp, 
rainy  weather  ensued.  On  the  28th  it  cleared, 
and  the  month  closed  very  pleasant. 

1824.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  67,  and  it  commenced  mild  and 
pleasant ;  but  the  wind  changed  to  north-east 
on  the  5th,  and  a  cloudy,  rainy  spell  ensued. 
It  cleared,  however,  on  the  10th  with  a  fine 
westerly  wind,  and  warm,  growing  weather  con- 
tinued during  the  remainder  of  the  month,  in- 
terspersed with  some  rainy  days.     Vegetation 
looked  very  promising. 

1825.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  62,  and  there  was  some  cool,  cloudy, 
wet   weather,  interspersed  with    some  warm, 
pleasant  days  until  the  12th.     From  the  13th 
to  the  close  of  the  month,  the  weather  was  warm 
and  rather  dry.     Vegetation  looked  very  pro- 
mising, and  there  was  a  fair  prospect  of  pretty 
good  crops.     One  and  three  quarter  inches  of 
rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1826.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  71.      This  was  the  warmest  and 
driest  May  month  that  we  have  on  our  record, 
except  1802.     We  were  deprived  of  our  usual 
easterly  rain  storm,  or  even  a  rainy  day  during 
the   month,  in   this  vicinity.     There   was    a 


MAY.  99 

sprinkle  of  rain  on  four  days,  and  the  whole 
which  fell  measured  only  one  quarter  of  an 
inch.  Vegetation  was  very  much  parched,  and 
every  thing  looked  in  a  dying  condition. 

1827.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  62 ;  and  although  not  so  warm  as 
usual,  there  was  much  mild,  pleasant  weather. 
The  north-east  rain  storm  was  longer  and  more 
violent  than  usual,  and  a  cool  north-west  wind 
succeeded  for  several  days,  but  we  heard  of  no 
frost  to  injure  vegetation,  which  looked  very 
promising;  and  there  was  a  fair  prospect  of 
much  fruit.     Two  and  a  half  inches  of  rain  fell 
during  the  month. 

1828.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  65.     It  commenced  mild  and  plea- 
sant, with  wind  at  south-west,  but  on  the  6th  it 
changed  to  north-east,  and  overcast,  damp,  chilly 
weather  followed  for  several  days,  and  then  a 
rain  storm;  but  on  the  llth  it  cleared  with  a 
westerly  wind,   and   two  weeks  of  very  fine 
weather  ensued,  after  which  the  wind  changed 
to  south-east,  and  a  whole  day  of  very  season- 
able rain  fell ;  and  fine,  growing  weather  fol- 
lowed.    Three  and  a  half  inches  rain  fell  dur- 
ing the  month. 

1829.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  64.     It  was  alternately  clear  and 
cloudy,  with  wind  varying  from  east  to  south 
until  the  5th,  when  it  rained  nearly  all  day. 
The  wind  southed  on  the  6th,  and  the  wea- 
ther was  pleasant  and  sometimes  quite  warm, 
until  the  13th,  when  more  rain  fell,  and  the 


100  M  A  Y. 

wind  changed  to  north-west,  and  the  atmos- 
phere was  cool  for  several  days,  after  which  the 
wind  changed  to  west,  and  then  to  south-west, 
and  a  spell  of  fine  growing  weather  ensued, 
with  some  occasional  showers.  Two  and  three 
quarter  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1830.  The    medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  64,   and  it  commenced  and  con- 
tinued pleasant   for   a   week,  when  the  wind 
changed  to  north-east,  and  a  week  of  cloudy, 
drizzly,  rainy,  unsettled  weather  ensued ;  after 
which  the  wind  wested,  and  the  weather  be- 
came very  fine  for  ten  days.     It  then  changed 
to  east  and  south-east,  and  considerable  rain 
fell,  making   three   and  three  quarter   inches 
during  the  month. 

1831.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  66.     The  month  commenced  and 
continued   pleasant  until  the  8th,    when   the 
wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  some  rain  fell. 
On  the  9th,  the  wind  changed  to  north-west, 
and  it  was  cool  until  the  12th,  when  the  wind 
southed,  and  with  the  exception  of 'three  days, 
it  was  warm  and  dry  during  the  remainder  of 
the  month.     The  quantity  of  rain  which  fell, 
was  only  one  inch. 

1832.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  62.     It  commenced  and  continued 
cool,  and  alternately  clear  and  cloudy,  until  the 
9th,  when  it  rained.     It  was  then  clear  until 
the  15th,  when  it  rained  again;  after  which  it 
was  clear  until  the  19th,  when  it  rained  on  the 
19th  and  20th.     The  remainder  of  the  month 


MAY.  101 

was  alternately  clear,  cloudy  and  rainy.  Five 
and  a  half  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the 
month. 

1833.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  63.     It  commenced  and  continued 
tolerably  clear,  and  on  some  days  it  was  quite 
clear,  until  the  llth,  when  the  wind  changed 
to    south-east,  and  it  was  cloudy,  misty  and 
rainy  until  the  17th.     Three  days  of  fair  wea- 
ther then  followed.     On  the  20th  it  commenced 
raining   again,  and  it   was  alternately   rainy, 
misty,  cloudy  and  clear,  the  remainder  of  the 
month.     Six   inches   of  rain   fell   during  the 
month. 

1834.  The   medium   temperature    of   this 
month  was  64.     It  commenced  cool,  with  wind 
varying  from  north  to  north-east.     On  the  5th 
it  rained  all  day,  and  the  6th,  7th,  8th  and  9th, 
were  partly  rainy.     From  the  10th  to  the  26th, 
the  weather  was  clear,  with  a  very  fine  grow- 
ing atmosphere.     From  the  26th  to  the  close 
of  the  month,  it  was  hazy,  overcast,  drizzly  and 
unpleasant.     Four  and  a  half  inches  of  rain  fell 
during  the  month.     Vegetation  was  tolerably 
fair. 

1835.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  64.     It  commenced  cool  and  cloudy, 
with  wind  east,  and  it  was  alternately  cloudy 
and  clear  until  the  8th,  when  it  rained.     The 
wind  continued  from  north  to  east  until  the 
14th,  when  it  rained  all  day.     From  the  14th 
to  the  21st  it  was  pleasant  and  warm.     On  the 
21st  there  was  a  thunder  shower,  after  which 


102  M  A  Y. 

it  cleared  pleasant,  and  so  continued  the  resi- 
due of  the  month.  Two  inches  of  rain  fell 
during  the  month. 

1836.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  63.     The  first   week   was  warm, 
clear  and  pleasant.     On  the  7th  some  rain  fell ; 
it  was  then  clear  until  the  17th,  when  there 
was  a  shower.     On  the  14th  there  was  a  slight 
frost.     It  was  clear  again  until  the  21st,  when 
there  was   a   thunder   shower.     It  was  again 
clear  until  the  28th ;  from  this  time  to  the  end 
of  the  month,  it  was  cloudy,  misty,  and  rainy. 
Vegetation  was  forward  and  looked  very  flour- 
ishing.    Two  and  a  quarter  inches  of  rain  fell 
during  the  month. 

1837.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  61.     It  commenced  cool,  with  the 
wind  at  north-west.     On  the  morning  of  the 
2d  there  was  a  slight  frost.     On  the  3d  the 
wind  southed,  and  the  mercury  ran  up  to  74 ; 
in  the  evening  there  was  a  thunder  shower. 
After  which  it  was  warm  and  pleasant,  until 
the  evening  of  the  9th,  when  there  was  a  severe 
thunder  shower.     It  was  afterwards  clear  and 
warm  until  the  evening  of  the  15th,  when  the 
wind  changed  to  east,  and  it  rained  all  night 
and  the  subsequent  day.     On  the  18th,  there 
was  another  thunder  shower,  and  also,  on  the 
22d;  on  the  24th  and  25th  there  were  more 
thunder  showers.     The  residue  of  the  month 
was  clear  and  pleasant.     Five  inches  of  rain 
fell  during  the  month. 

1838.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 


M  A  Y.  103 

month  was  58.  It  commenced  quite  cool,  with 
slight  frost  on  the  morning  of  the  1st.  On  the 
2d  the  wind  changed  to  east,  and  it  rained  more 
or  less  on  each  day  until  the  10th,  when  it 
cleared  cool,  with  the  wind  at  north-west,  and 
it  continued  clear  until  the  17th,  when  a  little 
rain  fell.  Some  rain  also  fell  on  the  18th,  after 
which,  four  clear  days  followed.  It  rained  a 
little  on  the  22d,  -23d,  24th,  25th,  27th,  28th, 
and  29th,  in  drizzly  showers.  The  30th  and 
31st  were  clear.  Three  and  a  half  inches  of 
rain  fell  during  the  month.  Vegetation  very 
backward  and  unpromising. 

1839.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  62.  It  commenced  overcast  and 
rainy,  with  wind  at  north-east,  and  in  the  even- 
ing a  heavy  thunder  shower.  In  the  evening 
of  the  2d  there  was  another  thunder  shower. 
The  3d  and  4th  were  clear  and  cool.  There 
was  a  slight  frost  on  the  morning  of  the  4th, 
after  which  the  wind  southed,  and  it  was  warm 
and  pleasant  until  the  10th,  when  the  wind 
changed  to  north-east,  and  the  weather  was 
cold,  dry,  and  a  little  frosty  for  three  days.  On 
the  13th,  the  wind  southed  and  a  little  rain  fell. 
It  also  rained  a  little  on  the  morning  of  the 
14th.  On  the  15th  and  16th,  the  mercury  ran 
up  to  82.  On  the  17th  and  18th  it  rained  a 
little.  It  was  afterwards  quite  warm  until 
the  23d,  when  the  wind  changed  to  east.  It 
rained  more  or  less  from  the  22d  to  the  even- 
ing of  the  28th,  when  there  was  a  thunder 
shower,  after  which  it  cleared  and  continued 
cool  until  the  month  closed.  Vegetation  was 


104  M  A  Y. 

quite  forward  and  very  flourishing.  Six  and 
three  quarter  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the 
month. 

1840.  The  medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  61.     It  commenced  cool  and  windy, 
with  small  showers  on  the  1st  and  3d.     On  the 
mornings  of  the  6th  and  10th,  there  were  light 
frosts,  but  not  sufficient  to  injure  vegetation. 
There  was  a  north-east  rain  storm  on  the  9th, 
after  which  it  cleared  cool.     The  wind  southed 
on  the  14th,  and  the  weather  became  very  warm 
and  so  continued  until  the  19th,  when  it  changed 
to  north-east,  and  it  was  cloudy,  drizzly,  and 
cool  until  the  26th,  when  the  wind  changed  to 
south-west  and  south,  and  the  remainder  of  the 
month  was  warm   and    pleasant.     Vegetation 
was  very  forward  and   promising.     Two  and 
three  quarter  inches  of  rain  fell  during   the 
month. 

1841.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  58.     It  commenced   overcast  and 
drizzly,  and  so  continued  until  the  evening  of 
the  2d,  when  a  little  snow  fell.     On  the  morn- 
ing of  the  3d,  there  was  ice  as  thick  as  window 
glass,  and  there  was  frost  on  the  mornings  of  the 
4th  and  5th,  and  it  continued  cool,  with  north- 
erly and  easterly  winds  until  the  17th,  when 
the  wind  southed,  and  there  was  a  warm  day ! 
but,  during  that  evening,  the  wind  changed  to 
north-west,  and  it  was  again  cool  until  the  21st, 
when  the  wind  changed  to  south-west,  and  the 
remainder  of  the  month  was  warm  and  plea- 
sant, with  the  exception  of  some  showers  on  the 
25th,  28th,  and   30th.     Vegetation  was  very 


M  A  Y.  105 

backward  and  unpromising.  The  repeated 
frosts  of  April  and  May  destroyed  a  great  part 
of  the  fruit-buds,  &c.  Three  and  a  half  inches 
of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1842.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  60.     It   commenced   warm,   with 
wind  at  south-west,  and  there  was  a  thunder 
shower  in  the  P.  M.,  after  which,  the  wind 
changed  to  north-east,  and  on  the  2d,  3d,  and 
4th  some  rain  fell.     The  5th,  6th,  and  7th  were 
pleasant.     On  the  8th  and  10th  it  rained.     On 
the  llth,  the  wind  southed,  and  it  was  pleasant 
until  the  15th,  when  the  wind  changed  to  north- 
east, and  some  rain  fell  on  the  15th,  19th,  22d, 
24th,  27th,  29th  and  3()th.     The  weather  was 
very  changeable  during  the  whole  month.    Six 
inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month.     Vegeta- 
tion was  forward  and  looked  promising. 

1843.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  58.     It  commenced  and  continued 
cool  until  the  7th,  when  the  wind  southed,  and 
the  mercury  ran  up  to  76,  and  in  the  evening 
there  was  a  thunder  shower.     The  8th  and 
9th  were  fair.     On  the  10th  there  was  a  north- 
east rain  storm,  after  which  it  was  fair  until  the 
17th,    when  some  rain   fell.     During  the  re- 
mainder of  the  month  the  weather  was  very 
unsettled,  and  a  little  rain  fell  on  the  20th,  22d, 
23d,  26th,  27th,  28th  and  29th;  the  last  two 
days  were  pleasant.     Two  inches  of  rain  fell 
during  the  month. 

1844.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  65,  and  it  was  a  very  warm  May 

W 


106  M  A  Y. 

month.  On  seven  days  the  mercury  rose  to 
80  and  above.  On  the  26th,  it  rose  to  90  at 
two  o'clock,  and  in  the  evening  there  was  a 
heavy  shower.  The  month  commenced  with 
summer  heat,  and  so  continued  until  the  12th, 
when  the  wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  some 
rain  fell,  and  it  was  cooler  until  the  16th,  when 
the  wind  southed,  and  there  was  a  thunder 
shower  in  the  evening.  There  was  also  a 
shower  on  the  17th — two  thunder  showers  on 
the  20th,  one  on  the  26th,  27th,  30th,  and  31st, 
but  neither  of  them  were  heavy.  Vegetation 
was  forward  and  very  promising,  and  there  was 
a  prospect  of  abundance  of  fruit.  Nearly  three 
inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1845.  The   medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  59.    It  commenced  cloudy  and  mild, 
and  there  was  a  shower  in  the  evening,  but, 
before  the  month  closed,  there  was  almost  all 
kinds  of  weather.     The  mercury  sunk  as  low  as 
40,  and  rose  as  high  as  82  on  three  days.    Some 
rain  fell  on  seven  days,  and  hail  on  one  day. 
On  thirteen  days  the  wind  changed  to  every 
point  of  the  compass  ;  notwithstanding  all  these 
changes  occurred,  yet  there  was  much  plea- 
sant, growing  weather  during  the  month,  and 
vegetation   and  fruit  looked   very  promising. 
There  was  only  one  and  a  half  inches  of  rain 
fell  during -the  month. 

1846.  The    medium   temperature    of  this 
month  was  63.     The  weather  was  very  varia- 
ble, and  the  mercury  varied  from  40  to  88  dur- 
ing the  month.     Some  rain  fell  on  twelve  days, 


3VI  A  Y.  107 

but  there  was  no  heavy  rain  during  the  month. 
There  was  a  good  deal  of  pleasant,  growing 
weather,  and  vegetation  and  fruit  looked  very 
promising.  Three  and  a  half  inches  of  rain 
fell  during  the  month. 


RECORD    OF   THE  WEATHER 

IN  PHILADELPHIA, 

TOR    THE    MOZTTH    OF 

JUNE. 

1790.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  70,    It  commenced  cloudy,  but  soon 
cleared  pleasant,  and  so   continued  until  the 
5th,  when  the  wind  changed  to  north-east,  and 
several  rainy,   misty,  cool  days  ensued.     On 
the  12th  the  wind  wested,  and  warm,  showery, 
growing  weather  continued  until  the  22d,  when 
the  wind  changed  to  east,  and  alternate  rainy, 
cloudy,  and  clear  weather  filled  up  the  remain- 
der of  the  month. 

1791.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  74,  during  which,  westerly  winds 
prevailed  more  than  half  the  time.     It  com- 
menced warm,  and  there  were  showers  on  the 
3d,  6th,  7th,  and  10th.     On  the  12th  the  wind 
changed  to  north-east,  and  for  several  days  it 
was  overcast,  drizzly,  and  cool.     On  the  16th 
it  rained  a  great  part  of  the  day.     On  the  17th 
the  wind  changed  to  south-west,  and  growing 
weather,  interspersed  with   thunder   showers, 
continued   until    the    27th,    when    the   wind 
changed  to  east  and  south-east,  and  overcast, 
wet  weather  closed  the  month. 


JUNE.  109 

1792.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  72.     The  first  week  was  warm  and 
pleasant,   including   two   seasonable    showers. 
The  next  -ten  days  were  variable ;  the  wind 
alternating  from  north  .to   east,    to   south-east 
and  south,  and  the  weather  was  cloudy,  over- 
cast, misty,  rainy  and   clear.      On  the    18th 
the  wind  wested,  and  the  atmosphere  was  clear 
and  fine  until  the  25th,  when  there  was  a  heavy 
thunder  shower,  and  it  cleared  with  a  cool, 
north-west  wind.     On  the  29th  the  wind  west- 
ed, and  the  month  closed  warm  and  pleasant, 
with  vegetation  looking  well. 

1793.  The    medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  76,  and  it  was  a  warm  month,  with 
frequent  thunder  showers  and  vivid  lightning, 
which  struck  in  many  places  in  this  vicinity. 
West,  south-west  and  southerly  winds  prevail- 
ed a  great  part  of  the  month.     From  the  23d 
to  the  30th,  the  wind  varied   from   north  to 
south-east,  and  considerable  rain  fell.     Vegeta- 
tion was  forward  and  very  promising. 

1794.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  70.     The  month  commenced  with 
a  cool  north-west  wind,  which  changed  to  west 
on  the  3d,  and  on  the  4th  to  south-west,  and  the 
weather  was  warm  and  pleasant  until  the  10th, 
when  the  wind  changed  to  east,  and  produced 
several  cool,  overcast,  drizzly,  wet  days.     On 
the  15th  the  wind  changed  to  south-west,  and 
fine  warm,  growing  weather  followed  until  the 
25th,  when  the  wind  changed  to  north-east,  and 
the  last  five  days  in  the  month  were  overcast, 
and  sometimes  very  rainy. 

10* 


110  JUNE. 

1795.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  70,  and  the  weather  was  very  va- 
riable.    It  commenced  warm  and  pleasant,  but 
on  the  6th  a  cool  east  wind  blew  up  a  wet, 
rainy,  overcast  spell,  which  continued  till  the 
llth,  when  the  wind  wested,  and  the  weather 
was  very  fine  until  the  19th,  when  an  easterly 
wet  spell  ensued,  and  the  weather  was  very  un- 
settled during  the  remainder  of  the  month. 

1796.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  72.     It  commenced  with  the  wind 
south,   and   the   weather   sultry ;  but,  after  a 
thunder  shower  in  the  evening  of  the  4th,  the 
wind  changed  to  north-west,  and  it  was  cool 
until  the  8th,  when  the  wind  wested,  and  the 
weather  was  much  warmer.     On  the  llth  the 
wind  southed,  and  it  was  very  warm  for  seve- 
ral days,  but  a  thunder  shower  cooled  the  air, 
and  the  wind  changed  to  north-east,  which  pro- 
duced cool,  cloudy,  drizzly  weather,  until  the 
21st,  when  the  wind  changed  to  south-west,  and 
it  became  very  warm  and  pleasant  and  so  con- 
tinued, with  occasional  showers,  until  the  month 
closed. 

1797.  The    medium    temperature    of   this 
month  was  73,  during  which  there  was  much 
pleasant    weather,    with    occasional    thunder 
showers  until  the  20th,  when  the  wind  changed 
to  north-east,  and  a  clamp,  drizzly,  atmosphere 
ensued  until  the  25th,  when  it  rained  power- 
fully, and  cleared  cool  with  the  wind  at  north- 
west.    On  the  28th  the  wind  southed,  and  the 
month  ended  warm. 


JUNE.  Ill 

1798.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  74.     Part  of  the  month  was  exces- 
sively warm.     The  mercury  rose  several  times 
to  90  and  above  at  mid-day  in  the  shade.     It 
was  seven  times  from  85  to  89,  ten  days  from 
80  to  84.     Frequent  thunder  showers  kept  the 
earth  well  saturated,  and  vegetation  progressed 
with  astonishing  rapidity.     On    the   22d   the 
wind  changed  to  the  east,  and  it  rained  a  part 
of  two  days,  after  which  the  wind  wested,  and 
the  month  closed  very  warm. 

1799.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  71.     The  month  commenced  with 
the  wind  east,  and  the  atmosphere  was  cool, 
damp  and  drizzly,  until  the  4th,  when  the  wind 
southed,  and  the  weather  was  very  fine  for  ve- 
getation until  the  16th;  there  being  frequent 
showers.     On  the  evening  of  the  16th,  the  wind 
changed  to  north-east,  and  the  atmosphere  be- 
came cool  and  damp.     On  the  17th  and  part  of 
the  18th,  it  rained  powerfully;  after  which  it 
cleared,  with  the  wind  at  north-west,  and  two 
or  three  cool  days  ensued.      On  the  22d  the 
wind  changed  to  west,  and  on  the  24th  to  south- 
west, and  the  last  week  in  the  month  wras  fine, 
growing  weather. 

1800.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  72.     It  commenced  with  a  warm 
westerly  wind  and  pure  atmosphere,  and  vege- 
tation arid  fruit  very  forward  and  looked  finely. 
On  the  10th,  it  rained  copiously,  with  the  wind 
at  south-east.     On  the  12th,  the  wind  changed 
to  west,  and  afterwards  to  south-west,  and  some 
very   warm   days   ensued,    with    some   heavy 


112  JUNE. 

showers,  accompanied  by  thunder  and  light- 
ning. On  the  24th  the  wind  changed  to  east, 
and  two  or  three  damp,  rainy  days  followed, 
when  the  wind  again  wested,  and  the  remain- 
der of  the  month  was  very  pleasant. 

1801.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  70,  and  it  was  not  quite  so  warm  as 
some  of  its  predecessors.     It  was  rather  more 
tainted   with   an   easterly   atmosphere.      Two 
easterly  rain  storms  occurred  during  the  month, 
and  some  drizzly  weather,  but  there  were,  not- 
withstanding, quite  two  weeks  of  fine  westerly 
winds,  and  warm,  growing  weather,  and  the 
month  closed  remarkably  pleasant,  with  abund- 
ance*1 of  early  fruit  and  vegetables. 

1802.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  73.     After  one  of  the  warmest  May 
months  experienced  for  many  years,  this  month 
commenced  and  continued  very  warm  until  the 
16th.     The  earth,  however,  was  frequently  re- 
freshed with  very  seasonable  showers.     But  on 
the  17th,  a  great  re-action  took  place,  by  the 
wind  changing  to  north-east,  and  the  weather 
becoming  very  chilly,  damp  and  rainy,  for  sev- 
eral days.     After  which  another  more  agreeable 
re-action  took  place,  by  the  wind  taking  a  west- 
erly direction,   which  produced  some  as  fine 
summer  weather  as  was  ever  experienced,  and 
with  which  the  month  closed. 

1803.  The    medium    temperature   of   this 
month  wras  69.     It  was    a   cool,   wet  month. 
Easterly  winds  prevailed,  and  much  rain  fell. 
It  was   bad   for  both   grain  and  hay  harvest. 


JUNE.  113 

There  were,  however,  some  fair  days,  which 
were  improved  to  the  utmost,  and  some  hay 
and  grain  were  well  got  in.  We  cannot  say 
much  in  praise  of  vegetation,  thus  far. 

1804.  The  medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  67.     This  month  was  still  cooler 
than  the  corresponding  month  of  last  year ;  and 
there  were  two  easterly  rain  storms,  besides 
smaller  rains.     There  was  very  little  good  hay 
and  grain  harvest  weather.     Vegetation  appear- 
ed to  suffer  for  want  of  warmer  weather. 

1805.  The    medium   temperature    of   this 
month  was  71.     It  commenced  warm,  and  ve- 
getation was  in  a  very  thriving  condition.    Both 
grain  and  grass  looked  very  luxuriant,  and  gar- 
den vegetables   and  strawberries,   raspberries, 
blackberries,  &c.,  were  very  abundant.     There 
was  no  violent  easterly  storm,  but  small  rains 
were  abundant,  and  thunder  showers  were  fre- 
quent and  seasonable,  and  during  a  part  of  the 
month  it  was  very  hot. 

1806.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  70,  and  the  wind  inclined  very  much 
to  the  eastward,   which  produced  much  wet 
weather;  but  the  wind  occasionally  changed 
to   south-west  and  south,  and  produced  some 
very  warm  days.     Grass  was  very  luxuriant, 
but  grain  was  a  good  deal  lodged.     Indian  corn 
evidently  needed  more  warm  weather. 

1807.  The    medium    temperature    of   this 
month  was  72,  and  there  was  a  full  average  of 
pleasant  weather.     The  month  commenced  and 
continued  warm  and   pleasant  until  the  9th, 


114  JUNE. 

when  a  whole  week  of  easterly  damp  weather 
ensued,  with  some  copious  rains.  On  the  17th, 
the  wind  wested,  and  some  warm,  growing 
weather  followed,  until  the  25th,  when  the  wind 
changed  to  north-east,  and  it  rained  part  of  two 
days.  The  28th  brought  fine  harvest  weather, 
and  with  this,  the  month  closed.  On  the  whole, 
vegetation  looked  well,  and  the  fruit  trees  pro- 
mised an  abundance. 

1808.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  74,  and  it  produced  several  thunder 
showers,  with  very  vivid  lightning,  that  struck 
in  many  places,  consuming  barns,  &c.     From 
the  19th  to  the  23d,  the  wind  was  north-east, 
and  it  rained  part  of  two  days,  after  which  the 
wind  southed,  and  the  remainder  of  the  month 
was  very  warm ;  the  mercury  rose  to  90,  on 
three  days.     Vegetation  was  very  forward  and 
luxuriant,  and  fruit  looked  very  promising. 

1809.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  73,  and  it  was  indeed  a  month  of 
fine,  growing   weather.     Thunder,  lightning, 
rain  and  hot  sunshine,  made  every  thing  grow 
apace.     Vegetation  looked  finely,  and  fruit  very 
inviting,  at  the  close  of  the  month. 

1810.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  70,  and  more  rain  than  usual  fell. 
Easterly  winds  prevailed  more  than  half  the 
month ;  there  were,  however,  alternately,  some 
very  warm  westerly  winds,  and  very  growing 
weather.     At  the  close  of  the  month,  vegeta- 
tion looked  very  fair,  and  the  prospect  of  fruit 
was  tolerably  good. 


JUNE.  115 

1811.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  72.     It  commenced  with  a  warm 
south-west  wind,  and  pleasant  weather,  which 
continued  for  nearly  two  weeks,  with  occasion- 
al showers.     On  the  12th,  the  wind  changed 
to  north-east,  which  produced  chilly,  damp  and 
rainy  weather,  until  the  17th,  when  the  wind 
wested,  and  fine,  warm,  growing  weather  en- 
sued  until   the   25th,  when  an   easterly  rain 
storm   occupied   two   days,   after   which,  fine 
pleasant  weather  closed  the  month,  with  vege- 
tation in  a  very  flourishing  condition. 

1812.  The  medium    temperature    of  this 
month  was  70,  during  which,  the  usual  variety 
of  June  weather  was  experienced.     Two  east- 
erly rain  storms  occurred  and  several  showers ; 
there  were  also,  several  very  warm  days,  and 
many  that  were  pleasantly  mild,  and  a  few  that 
were  cool. 

1813.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  69,  and  it  furnished  more  than  her 
usual  quota  of  easterly,  wet  weather,  and  some 
quite  cool  nights.     But  she  also  furnished  some 
very  warm  cheering  weather,  yet  the  weather 
was  not  so  pleasant  as  we  are  accustomed  to 
look  for  in  a  summer  month. 

1814.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  71.     It  commenced  and  continued 
warm  and  very  pleasant  until  the  7th,  when  a 
re-action  took  place,  and  a  whole  week  of  east- 
erly, wet  weather  ensued ;  after  which  it  clear- 
ed, with  a  north-west  wind,  that  soon  dispersed 
all  the  damp  vapours,  and  brought  a  cool  and 


116  JUNE. 

clear  atmosphere.  On  the  17th  the  wind 
changed  to  south-west,  and  for  several  days  the 
weather  was  quite  warm  enough ;  the  mercury 
ranged  from  86  to  90  during  five  days,  and  af- 
ter a  heavy  thunder  shower,  the  wind  changed 
to  north-west,  and  it  was  cool  until  the  25th, 
when  the  wind  southed,  and  it  was  very  warm 
the  remainder  of  the  month. 

1815.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  73,  and  a  more  uniformly  pleasant 
summer  month  has  not  occurred  for  several 
years.     There  were  several  pretty  severe  thun- 
der showers  ;  and  on  the  22d  and  23d  consi- 
derable rain  fell,  but  it  soon  cleared  moderately 
warm,  and  fine  growing  weather  ensued  until 
the   month   closed.      Vegetation   looked   very 
flourishing. 

1816.  The    medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  only   64,   arid  it  was  the   coldest 
month  of  June  we  ever  remember  ;  there  were 
not  only  severe  frosts  on  several  mornings,  but 
on   one   morning   there   was   said   to   be   ice. 
Every  green  herb  was  killed,  and  vegetables 
of  every  description  very  much  injured.     All 
kinds  of  fruit  had  been  previously  destroyed, 
as  not  a  month  had  passed   without  producing 
ice.     From   six  to  ten  inches  of  snow  fell  in 
various  parts  of  Vermont ;  three  inches  in  the 
interior  of  New  York ;  and  several  inches  in 
the  interior  of  New  Hampshire  and  Maine. 

1817.  The    medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  74,  and  there  was  much  very  warm, 
sultry  weather,  and   frequent  thunder   gusts, 


JUNE.  117 

with  very  vivid  lightning.  On  five  days  the 
mercury  rose  to  90  and  above  ;  on  ten  days 
from  86  to  89 ;  and  on  ten  days  from  80  to  85. 
It  was  a  fine  month  for  harvesting  grain  and 
hay,  as  not  so  much  rain  fell  as  usual,  and  dry 
westerly  winds  prevailed  a  great  part  of  the 
month.  Vegetation  was  very  promising,  and 
fruit  of  every  description  very  abundant. 

1818.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was   74,  and  the  weather  during  the 
month  was  very  like  the  corresponding  month 
of  last  year,  except  that  more  rain  fell,  and  the 
crops  of  grass  and  grain  were  much  heavier. 

1819.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  72.     It  commenced  and  continued 
warm  and  dry  until  the  9th,  when  the  wind 
changed  to  east,  and  a  little  rain  followed.    The 
wind  then  wested,  and  the  weather  was  very 
fine  until  the  20th,  when  another  damp,  drizzly 
spell  ensued.     On  the  25th,  the  wind  southed, 
and  the  weather  wras  warm  and  dry  the  residue 
of  the  month. 

1820.  The   medium    "temperature   of    this 
month  was  73,  and  it  commenced  and  con- 
tinued warm   until  the  7th,  when   the  wind 
changed  to  south-east,   and  considerable  rain 
fell,  after  which  the  wind  changed  to  south- 
west, and  a  spell  of  warm,  growing  weather 
ensued,  with  occasional  showers,  until  the  18th, 
when  the  wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  after- 
wards to  east,  and  it  rained  part  of  two  days 
and  then  cleared  warm,  and  so  continued  until 
the  29th,  when  the  wind  changed  to  east,  and 

11 


118  JUNE. 

overcast,  drizzly  weather  followed  for  two  or 
three  days.  Vegetation  was  forward  and  very 
promising. 

1821.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  72.     This  was  a  wet  month.    Much 
damp   easterly   weather   prevailed.      But  the 
wind  changed  to  west  and  south-west  frequent- 
ly, and  produced  some  very  hot  days.     The 
wind  however  did  not  remain  long  at  the  west, 
but  after  four  or  live  days  it  easted  again,  and  a 
rainy  spell  followed.     In  this  way,  the  wind 
and  weather  kept  changing  during  the  whole 
month,  so  that  farmers  had  a  very  sorry  time 
with  their  harvesting.     The  grass  and  grain 
were  very  heavy. 

1822.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  75 ;  during  which,  there  was  much 
very  hot  and  dry  weather ;  and  had  there  not 
been  some  very  seasonable  thunder  showers, 
vegetation   would   have   suffered  exceedingly, 
and  crops  been  very  short. 

1823.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  71.     It  commenced  warm  and  very 
pleasant.     On  the   5th,  the  wind  changed  to 
north-east,  and  it  was  rainy  and  misty  for  seve- 
ral days.     On  the  10th,  the  wind  changed  to 
west  and  south-west,  and  a  week  of  fine,  grow- 
ing weather  ensued ;  but  on  the  18th,  the  wind 
again  changed  to  the  east,  and  another  spell  of 
easterly  wet  weather  followed,  until  the  23d, 
when  the  wind  wested,  and  the  remainder  of 
the  month  was  delightful  weather  for  harvest- 
ing grain  and  hay. 


JUNE.  119 

1824.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  73.     It  commenced  and  continued 
pleasant  for  ten  days,  with  the  exception  of  a 
few  showers,  which  were  very  seasonable.   The 
wrind  then  changed  to  east,  and  a  damp,  rainy 
season  followed,  until  the  15th,  when  it  cleared 
with  a  fine  westerly  wind,  and  continued  warm 
and  pleasant  during  the  residue  of  the  month, 
with   the   exception  of  some  very  seasonable 
showers.      During   the    last   two   weeks,   the 
farmers  had  fine  weather  for  harvesting  their 
grain  and  hay,  which  were  very  abundant. 

1825.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  75.     It  commenced  overcast,  and  a 
little  rain  fell,  when  it  cleared  warm  and  plea- 
sant, with  the  wind  at  south-west.     On  the 
evening  of  the  5th,  the  wind  changed  to  north- 
east, and  a  rain  storm  followed,  which   con- 
tinued during  the  night  and  succeeding  day. 
On  the  7th,  the  wind  changed  to  south-west, 
and  a  very  warm  spell  of  weather  ensued  until 
the  23d.     During  which,  the  mercury  rose  to 
90  and  above,  on  ten  days.     Three  of  those 
days  it  rose  to  96  at  mid-day.     On  the  23d,  the 
wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  the  weather 
was  cool  the  remainder  of  the  month.     Some 
rain  fell  on  the  1st,  4th,  6th,  18th,  23d,  25th 
and  27th.     The  quantity  which  fell  during  the 
month  was  three  and  a  half  inches. 

to 

1826.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  73.     The  first  four  days  were  in- 
tensely warm,  the  mercury  ranging  as  high  as 
90  and  above.     On  the  5th,  the  wind  changed 
to  east,  and  some  rain  fell.     On  the  6th,  it  was 


120  J  U  N  E. 

so  cool,  that  the  mercury  at  sunrise  was  only 
59,  and  it  did  not  rise  higher  than  75  at  mid- 
day. On  the  7th,  the  wind  changed  to  south- 
west, and  a  week  of  very  warm,  growing  wea- 
ther ensued.  On  the  14th.  the  wind  changed 
to  north-east,  and  a  spell  of  cloudy,  drizzly 
weather  followed.  On  the  18th  and  19th,  some 
rain  fell.  On  the  25th,  there  was  a  very  heavy 
thunder  gust.  On  the  whole  there  was  a  fair 
proportion  of  warm,  pleasant  weather,  for  a 
June  month,  notwithstanding  more  or  less  rain 
fell  on  the  3d,  4th,  5th,  18th,  19th,  and  every 
day  from  the  22d  to  the  27th,  and  again  on  the 
29th ;  and  during  the  whole  month,  there  fell 
nearly  four  and  three  quarter  inches.  The 
poor  farmers  had  a  poor  time  for  harvesting 
their  grain  and  hay. 

1827.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  71 ;  and  two  inches  of  rain  fell. 
The  month  commenced  cool,  and  so  continued, 
with  the  wind  varying  from  north-west  to  north- 
east, until  the  ]  2th,  and  the  atmosphere  alter- 
nately clear  and  cloudy.  On  the  13th,  the 
wind  changed  to  south-west,  and  it  was  warmer 
until  the  18th,  when  the  wind  changed  to  north- 
west, arid  it  was  quite  cool  until  the  20th,  after 
which  the  wind  southed,  and  two  da^sof  very 
warm  weather  ensued.  The  wind  again  chan- 
ged to  north-west  on  the  23d,  and  from  this 
time  until  the  month  closed,  it  varied  daily  from 
north  to  south-west,  without  producing  a  very 
warm  day.  There  was  not  a  heavy  rain  during 
the  month,  but  a  little  fell  on  the  3d,  14th,  21st, 
22d,  25th,  and  26th,  making  only  two  inches 


JUNE.  121 

in  the  whole.     Vegetation  looked  only  tolera- 
ble. 

1828.  The  medium  or  average  temperature 
of  this  month  was  77,  and  it  was  a  very  warm 
month ;  and  although  some  rain  fell  on  seven 
days,  yet  the  whole  which  fell  amounted  to 
only  two  and  three  quarter  inches.     The  mer- 
cury rose   to  90  on  seven  days.     Vegetation 
looked  very  flourishing,  and  there  were  good 
crops  of  grain  and  hay. 

1829.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  73.     The  first  five  days  were  very 
pleasant.     On  the  6th,  the  wind  changed  to 
north-east,  and  some  rain  fell  on  the  6th,  7th, 
and  8th,  also  on  the  17th,  23d,  and  27th,  amount- 
ing in  all,  to  three  and  a  half  inches.     There 
was  no  intensely  warm  weather   during   the 
month.     Only  once  the  mercury  rose  to  90  at 
mid-day,  but  during  the  corresponding  month 
of  last  year,  it  rose  to  90  and  above,  on  seven 
days. 

1830.  The    medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  72 ;  and  there  was  much  overcast, 
damp,  rainy  weather  during  the  month ;  more 
or  less  rain  fell  on  thirteen  days ;  amounting  in 
all,  to  six  inches.     The  mercury  rose  to  90  only 
on  one  day.     Grass  was  heavy,  but  corn  and 
grain  very  backward,   having  suffered    much 
from  the  unusual  quantity  of  wet  weather,  and 
the  absence  of  a  warm  sun.     On  eighteen  even- 
ings and  mornings,  it  was  quite  cool  for  June. 

1831.  The   medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  77,  and  the  month  was  uniformly 

11* 


122  JUNE. 

warm.  On  ten  mid-days,  the  mercury  ranged 
from  88  to  94.  On  four  of  these  days  it  was 
90  and  above.  On  one  day  only,  was  it  below 
80  at  mid-day.  Some  rain  fell  on  eight  days, 
making  in  all,  three  and  a  half  inches.  Vege- 
tation looked  pretty  well  considering  the  great 
drought  in  May. 

1832.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  71,  and  it  was  rather  a  cool  month. 
Northerly  dry  winds  prevailed.     Only  one  inch 
and  a  half  of  rain  fell  during  the  month.     At 
the  close  of  the  month  vegetation  was  suffering 
for  rain,  as  scarcely  enough  had  fallen  to  lay 
the  dust  since  the  16th  instant. 

1833.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  65.     This  was  the   coldest  June 
month  that  we  have  on  record,   except  June 
1816.     On  seven  days  it  did  not  rise  as  high  as 
70  at  mid-day.     On  ten  days  only  it  rose  to 
summer  heat,  (76,)  and  on  four  of  those  days 
the  mercury  rose  to  80.     Indian  corn   suffered 
from  the  cool  weather.     On  seven  days  some 
rain  fell,  making   in   all,  five   and   a   quarter 
inches. 

1834.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  69,  during  which,   northerly  and 
easterly  winds  generally  prevailed.     Some  rain 
fell  on  eleven  days,  making  four  inches.    There 
were  only  two  very  hot  days  during  the  month. 
Vegetation  suffered   for  more  warm  weather. 
Neither  vegetation  or  fruit  looked  very  pro- 
mising. 

1835.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 


JUNE.  123 

month  was  71.  With  the  exception  of  the  5th, 
(which  was  overcast, and  some  rain  fell,)  the  first 
twelve  days  were  warm  and  pleasant.  On  the 
13th,  14th  and  15th,  more  rain  fell.  From  the 
15th  to  the  25th,  it  was  fair  and  pleasant.  Rain 
fell  on  the  25th,  26th,  27th,  and  28th.  The 
whole  that  fell  during  the  month  was  six  and  a 
quarter  inches.  The  29th  and  30th  were  fair. 

It  was  rather  a  wet  month  for  harvesting  grain 

i  ,  n  to 

and  hay. 

1836.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  67 ;  and  it  was  a  cool,  wet  month. 
It  rained  more  or  less  on  eleven  days,  and  seven 
inches  and  a  quarter   fell  during  the  month. 
There  was  some  pleasant  weather  from  the  7th 
to  the  19th,  and  from  the  26th  to  the  close  of 
the  month.     Vegetation  was  tolerably  fair. 

1837.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  69.     There  was  not  any  very  warm 
weather  during  the  month.     One  day  only  it 
rose  as  high  as  88.     Some  rain  fell  on  eleven 
days,  principally  in  small  quantities ;  making 
in   all,    about   three*  inches.     Vegetation   and 
fruit  looked  promising. 

1838.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  75,  and  there  was  some  very  warm 
weather  during  the  month.     On  eight  days  the 
mercury  rose  to  90  and  above;  and  on  eight 
days  from  86  to  89.     Nineteen  days  were  fair; 
on  ten  days  some  rain  fell,  and  one  day  was 
overcast.     The  quantity  of  rain  which  fell  dur- 
ing the  month  was  six  and  a  half  inches.  Vege- 
tation improved  very  much  during  this  month. 


124  JUNE. 

1839.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  6  ^.     On  eleven  mornings  the  mer- 
cury varied  from  50  to  58,  and  during  mid-day 
from    0  to  68.     On  one  day  it  rose  to  85,  and 
one  day  to  89.     Some  rain  fell  on  fourteen  days, 
making  in  all  about  four  inches.     There  were 
nine   entirely  clear   days   during   the  month. 
The    others   were    either    rainy,    overcast    or 
cloudy. 

1840.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  69.     During  twelve  days  of  this 
month  the  mercury  did  not  rise  to  summer- 
heat  (76.)     The  remainder  of  the  month  was 
pleasant  summer  weather.     Some  rain  fell  on 
nine  days ;  the  whole  making  six  inches.     Ve- 
getation looked  tolerably  fair. 

1841.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  73 ;  and  there  was  a  fair  proportion 
of  warm,  pleasant  weather.     On  six  days  the 
mercury  rose  to  90  and  above ;  and  on  fourteen 
days  it  was  from  80  to  88.     On  nine  days  some 
rain  fell,  principally  in  showers,  measuring  in 
all  three  and  a  quarter  inches.     Vegetation  was 
tolerably  fair.    The  frosts  of  the  previous  month 
not  only  injured  vegetation,  but  destroyed  most 
of  the  fruit  buds;  so  that  all  kinds  of  fruit  was 
very  scarce. 

1842.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  68.     This  month  fell  far  short  of 
her  usual  proportion  of  warm,  growing  wea- 
ther.    On  two  mornings  at  sunrise,  the  mer- 
cury was  as  low  as  45.     There  was  frost  in  the 
country  on  three  mornings,  and  on  one  day  only 


JUNE.  125 

did  the  mercury  rise  as  high  as  86.  There  were 
but  ten  entirely  clear  days.  The  remainder  were 
either  cloudy,  overcast  or  rainy.  On  fourteen 
days,  more  or  less  rain  fell,  making  in  all  three 
and  a  quarter  inches.  Vegetation  looked  tole- 
rably well,  considering  the  weather  was  so  un- 
propitious. 

1843.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  72,  and  the  weather  was  very  va- 
riable from  the  commencement  to  the  close.    It 
commenced  with  the  mercury  down  to  4  4.     In 
the  interior  of  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  New 
York,  and  in  all  the  New  England  states,  on 
the  mornings  of  the  1st  and  2d  of  the  month 
there  was  frost ;  and  in  some  places  there  was 
ice  as  thick  as  window-glass,  which  destroyed 
tender  plants  and  did  great  damage.     There 
was  a  snow  squall  in  this  city  on  the  P.  M.  of 
the  1st.     On  the  4th  the  weather  moderated ; 
on  the  5th  the  mercury  ran  up  to  83 ;  the  6th 
and  7th  were  quite  cool ;  the  9th  and  10th  very 
warm;  the  llth,  12th  and  13th  very  cool,  the 
mercury  ranging  from  60  to  70.     With  the  ex- 
ception of  two  days,  there  was  pleasant  summer 
weather  from  the  14th  to  the  close  of  the  month. 
On  eight  days  a  very  little  rain  fell,  making  in 
all,  one  and  three  quarter  inches.     Vegetation 
was  only  tolerably  fair. 

1844.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  70,  and  it  produced  bpth  cool  and 
very  warm  weather.     One  day   the  mercury 
rose  only  to  68,  and  three  days  only  to  70,  dur- 
ing mid-day.     On  four  days  it  rose  to  9  J  and  a 
little  above  ;  and  on  twelve  days  it  varied  from 


126  J  U  N  E. 

80  to  88.  On  nine  days  some  rain  fell  in  show- 
ers, making,  in  the  whole,  three  and  a  quarter 
inches.  There  were  fifteen  entirely  clear  days. 

1845.  The    medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  72,  and  a  great  part  of  the  month 
was  very  fine  summer  weather.     One  day  the 
mercury  rose  to  94 ;  on  seven  days  from  86  to 
88 ;  on  nine  days  from  80  to  84 ;  on  twelve 
days  from  70  to  76  ;  and  on  the  last  day  of  the 
month  it  rose  to  66  only,  at  mid-day.     On  ele- 
ven days  some  rain  fell,  principally  in  showers, 
making  in  all  three  and  three-quarter  inches. 

1846.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  69,  and  there  wras  much  cool,  driz- 
zly, rainy,  and  unpleasant  weather.     More  or 
less  rain  fell  on  fourteen  days,  making  the  total 
of  four  and  a  half  inches.  There  were  only  ten  en- 
tirely clear  days  during  the  month.    The  others 
were  either  rainy,  cloudy,  or  overcast,  during  the 
whole  or  a  part  of  the  day.     Vegetation  and 
fruit  looked  very  promising. 


RECORD    OF    THE    WEATHER 

IN    PHILADELPHIA, 

FOR  THE  MONTH  OF 

JULY. 

1790.  The   medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  78,  and  a  large  portion  of  the  month 
was  very  warm.     There  were  several  severe 
thunder  storms,  and  one  north-east  rain  storm. 
Westerly  and  southerly  winds  prevailed.     The 
mercury  rose  to  90  and  above  on  seven  days. 

1791.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  80.     It  commenced  and  continued 
very  warm  until  the  13th.     During  those  two 
weeks,  there  were  three  very  heavy  thunder 
showers.     On  the  14th  and  15th  the  wind  blew 
cool  from  the  east,  but  it  soon  changed  again 
to  the  south-west,  and  it  continued  in  this  di- 
rection almost  every  day  during  the  remainder 
of  the  month.     There  were  several  very  foggy 
mornings  between  the  20th  and  30th,  and  very 
hot  days  followed,  with  showers  in  the  evening 
occasionally. 

1792.  The    medium    temperature    of  this 
month  was  77,  during  which,  there  was  much 
fine,  growing  weather,  which  was  good  for  har- 
vesting.    Fruit  and  vegetables  were  abundant, 


128  JULY, 

and  crops  very  fine.  There  were  several  very 
seasonable  showers,  but  the  earth  was  dry  not- 
withstanding, and  Indian  corn  and  late  potatoes 
suffered  much  for  a  good  soaking  rain.  On  the 
16th  there  was  a  destructive  hurricane  in  New 
York,  small  vessels  and  boats  were  upset,  and 
sixteen  to  twenty  persons  were  drowned. 

1793.  The   medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  81,  and  there  was  a  great  deal  of 
excessively  hot  and  dry  weather.     All  the  rain 
that  fell  was  during  some  violent  thunder  gusts. 
The  mercury  was  from  90  to  96  in  the  shade 
on  ten  days,  and  from  84  to  89  on  fifteen  days. 
Vegetation  suffered  very  much  for  rain.  There 
was  a  great  mortality  among  the  flies. 

1794.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  wras  73,  and  it  was  a  cool,  wet  month ; 
easterly  winds  prevailed  about  half  the  month. 
There   were,   however,   some  wrarm,  pleasant 
days,  and  it  wrould  have  been  very  strange  if 
the  month  of  July  had  passed  without  some 
warm  weather. 

1795.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  78,  and  it  was  indeed,  a  month  of 
very  fine  summer  weather.     Showers  were  fre- 
quent.    Vegetation  looked  flourishing,  and  the 
crops  of  hay  and  grain  were  very  heavy. 

1796.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  75.     There  was  no  intensely  hot 
weather  during  this  month,  but  good  summer 
weather,   and  just   rain   enough.     Vegetation 


JULY.  129 

looked  well.     Of  grain  and  hay,  there  was  a 
full  medium  crop. 

1797.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  76.     There  were  a  few  very  hot, 
and  some  quite  cool  days  during  the  month. 
During  the  hot  days,  there  were  two  severe 
thunder  gusts,  and  during  the  cool  days,  there 
was  an  easterly  rain  storm ;  but,  in  the  aggre- 
gate, it  was  a  pleasant  month,  and  vegetation 
looked  very  well,  particularly  Indian  corn. 

1798.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  80,  during  which  there  was  much 
intensely   hot,   dry   weather.     On   nine   days 
the  mercury  was  90  and  above ;  and  on  thir- 
teen days  from  85  to  89.     There  were  seve- 
ral heavy  and  terrific  thunder  showers.     Vege- 
tation was  very  flourishing.     Much  sickness 
prevailed,  particularly  among  children. 

1799.  The   medium   temperature   of  this 
month  was  73  ;  during-which,  the  weather  was 
very  variable.     The  wind  was  alternately  east, 
west,  north  and  south.     It  was  cool,  and  it  was 
hot ;  it  was  wet  and  it  was  dry.     Vegetation 
looked  pretty  well,  and  there  was  an  abundance. 

1800.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  74,  and  it  was  a  very  prolific  month. 
Vegetables   and   fruit   were   very  plenty   and 
cheap.     There   were   several    severe   thunder 
gusts  during  two  weeks  of  very  warm  weather. 
The  other  part  of  the  month  the  weather  was 
very  changeable. 

1801.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 

12 


130  J  U  L  Y. 

month  was  72.  This  month  commenced  with 
an  easterly  wind,  and  a  cool,  damp  atmosphere, 
which  poured  down  a  copious  rain.  On  the 
P.  M.  of  the  3d  the  wind  changed  to  west- 
north-west,  and  the  4th,  and  for  several  suc- 
ceeding days,  it  was  splendid  weather.  On  the 
8th  the  wind  changed  to  south-west,  and  on  the 
9th  to  south,  and  the  weather  was  very  warm 
until  the  17th,  when  the  wind  changed  to  east, 
and  rain  fell  plentifully.  During  the  remain- 
der of  the  month,  the  wind  and  weather  changed 
several  times. 

1802.  The    medium    temperature    of   this 
month  was  74,  and  it  produced  much  very  fine 
growing  weather.     On  several  days  the  mer- 
cury rose  to  90,  and  there  were  some  powerful 
thunder  showers.     Vegetation  looked  well,  par- 
ticularly  Indian   corn.     Foggy  mornings  and 
hot  days  prevailed  during  the  whole  of  the  last 
week  in  the  month. 

1803.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  72.     It  commenced  cool,  overcast, 
damp,  and  drizzly,  but  this  unpleasant  weather 
did  not  continue  long,  as  the  4th  brought  a 
splendid  day,  with  a  fine  westerly  breeze,  and 
very  pleasant  weather  continued  until  the  13th, 
when  the  wind  changed  to  east,  and  rain  pour- 
ed down  powerfully.     On   the  16th  the  wind 
southed,  and  six  days  of  fine  harvest  weather 
ensued,  which  brought  the  month  to  the  even- 
ing of  the  22d,  when  the  wind  changed  to  south- 
east, and  the  weather  was  very  variable  during 
the  residue  of  the  month.    It  was  cloudy,  drizz- 
ly, and  fair  alternately. 


J  U  L  Y.  131 

1804.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  70.     The  month  commenced  with 
a  fine  westerly  breeze  and  pure  atmosphere,  and 
the  weather    was   clear   and  warm  until   the 
evening  of  the  7th,  which  produced  a  tremen- 
dous thunder  shower  and  vivid  lightning,  after 
which  it  cleared  cool  with  a  fresh  north-west 
wind.     On  the  llth  the  wind  southed,  and  a 
few  very  warm  days  ensued.     On  the  ]6th  the 
wind  changed  to  east,  and  the  atmosphere  was 
cool,  overcast  and  drizzly  until  the  19th,  when 
it  rained  all  night,  and  continued  cloudy  until 
the  22d,  when  it  cleared  warm  with  the  wind 
south-west.     The  rest  of  the  month  was  alter- 
nately foggy  and  clear.     It  was  real  dog-days' 
weather. 

1805.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  73,  and  the  weather  was  warm  and 
pleasant  until  the  5th,  which  brought  a  damp, 
easterly  atmosphere  and  some  rain ;  it  contin- 
ued cloudy  and  rather  cool  until  the  1 1th,  when 
the  wind  changed  to  west,  and  the  atmosphere 
became  very  pure,  and  very  fine  warm  weather 
followed  until  the  20th,  when  the  wind  changed 
to  south-east,  and  considerable  rain  fell  between 
the  21st  and  24th,  after  which  the  wTind  south- 
ed, and  foggy  mornings   and  warm  days  en- 
sued until  the  month  closed. 

1806.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  73,  and  the  weather  was  very  simi- 
lar to  that  of  the  corresponding  month  of  last 
year,   excepting  that   not  so   much  rain  fell ; 
therefore,   there  was   more   fair  and   pleasant 
weather.     Vegetation  looked  very  flourishing. 


132  j  u  L  Y. 

1807.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  74,  and  there  was  a  great  deal  of 
very  fine,  pleasant  weather,  interspersed  with 
very  seasonable  rains ;  but  westerly  and  south- 
erly winds  prevailed  chiefly.  The  wind  changed 
to  the  eastward  three  times  during  the  month, 
but  it  did  not  remain  in  that  quarter  long. 

1808.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  75,  and  there  was  some  intensely 
hot  weather,  which  ran  the  mercury  up  to  90 
and  above  on  several  days  in  succession  :  and 
there  were  several  very  severe  thunder  gusts 
with  terrific  lightning.     Foggy  mornings  were 
more  numerous  than  welcome.     From  the  20th 
the  wind  inclined  very  much  to  east  and  south- 
east, which  produced  some  damp,  drizzly  wea- 
ther towards  the  close  of  the  month. 

1809.  The    medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  75.     It  commenced  and  continued 
very  warm  for  two  weeks,  during  which  there 
were  several  very  refreshing  showers.     On  the 
15th  the  wind  changed  to  north-east,  arid  the 

O  ' 

weather  became  damp,  cloudy  and  overcast, 
and  rain  fell  on  the  16th  and  17th,  and  it  did 
not  clear  until  the  20th,  when  the  wind  changed 
to  west,  and  a  week  of  very  warm  weather  fol- 
lowed. The  last  few  days  were  foggy  and 
damp. 

1810.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month    was   72.      It   commenced    damp    and 
lowering,  and  some  rain  fell.     On  the  morning 
of  the  4th  it  cleared  with  a  cool  north-west 
wind.     On  the  7th  the  wind  changed  to  south- 


JULY.  133 

west,  and  the  weather  was  warm  and  pleasant 
until  the  17th,  when  the  wind  changed  to 
north-east,  and  afterwards  to  east,  and  it  rain- 
ed a  part  of  two  days.  On  the  21st  the  wrind 
wested,  and  a  week  of  warm,  pleasant  weather 
followed,  when  the  wind  changed  to  south-east, 
and  the  month  ended  in  a  fog. 

1811.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  74,  and  there  was  a  great  deal  of 
very  hot  and  dry  weather,  and  had  it  not  been 
for  a  few  thunder  showers,  vegetation  would 
have  entirely  ceased,  and  every  green  thing 
dried  up.     The  drought  was  very  severe,  and 
continued  to  the  10th  of  August.     In  the  eve 
of  the  9th,  an  awful  thunder  storm  occurred  at 
Alexandria,  and  many  places  were  struck  by 
lightning,  and  several  persons  instantly  killed. 

1812.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  73.     Its  commencement  was  cool 
and  damp.     Some  rain  fell  on  the  night  of  the 
2d,  after  which  it  cleared  with  a  westerly  wind, 
and  nine  days  of  warm,  pleasant  weather  fol- 
lowed.    On  the  12th,  the  wind  changed  to  east, 
and  brought  a  very  seasonable  rain.     On  the 
15th  the  wind  southed,  and  the  weather  was 
quite   warm    until   the    24th,  when  the  wind 
changed  to  south-east,  and  a  week  of  damp, 
drizzly,  foggy  weather  closed  the  month. 

1813.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  72,  and  it  was  a  month  of  delightful 
summer  weather,  neither  too  warm  or  too  cool. 
There  were  seasonable  rains  and  wrarm  sun- 
is* 


134  J  U  L  Y. 

shines,  and  the  fruits  of  the  earth  were  very 
flourishing  and  abundant. 

1814.  The  medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  73.     There  was  much  dry  weather 
during  the  fore  part  of  this  month,  which  gaVe 
the  farmer  a  fine  opportunity  to  harvest  his 
hay,  oats,  &c.     On  the  16th  the  wind  changed 
to  north-east,  and    on   the   succeeding  day  to 
east,  and  it  rained  moderately  for  part  of  two 
days.     From  the  21st  to  the  close  of  the  month, 
it  was  delightful  summer  weather,  and  vegeta- 
tion looked  very  promising. 

1815.  The   medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  74.     There  was  much  very  hot  and 
dry  weather.     Indian  corn  was  very  forward 
and  very  promising.     On  the  17th,  the  wind 
changed  to  south-east,  and  it  rained  moderately 
from  one  o'clock  until  the  next  morning,  after 
which   the  wind  changed  to  south-west,  and 
some  very  warm  weather  followed.     On  the 
26th  the  wind  changed  to  east,  and  damp,  fog- 
gy, drizzly  weather  continued  until  the  month 
closed. 

1816.  The  medium  or  average  temperature 
of  this  month  was  only  68,  and  it  was  a  month 
of  melancholy  forebodings,  as  during  every  pre- 
vious month  since  the  year  commenced,  there 
were  not  only  heavy  frosts,  but  ice,  so  that  very 
few  vegetables  came  to  perfection.     It  seemed 
as  if  the  sun  had  lost  its  warm  and  cheering  in- 
fluences.    One  frosty  night  was  succeeded  by 
another,  and  thin  ice  formed  in  many  exposed 
situations  in  the  country.     On  the  morning  of 


JULY.  135 

the  5th  there  was  ice  as  thick  as  window-glass 
in  Pennsylvania,  New  York,  and  through  New 
England.  Indian  corn  was  chilled  and  with- 
ered, and  the  grass  was  so  much  killed  by  re- 
peated frosts,  that  grazing  cattle  would  scarcely 
eat  it.  Northerly  winds  prevailed  a  great  part 
of  the  month ;  and  when  the  wind  changed  to 
the  west,  and  produced  a  pleasant  day,  it  was  a 
subject  of  congratulation  by  all.  Very  little 
rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1817.  The   medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  74.    The  weather  during  this  month 
was  a  continuation  of  the  splendid  weather  of 
the  previous  month.     The  farmer  rejoiced  at 
having  such  a  pleasant  season  for  gathering  in 
his  early  harvest,  which  was  very  abundant. 
Fertilizing  showers  and  warm  sunshines,  caused 
the  earth  to  bring  forth  luxuriantly.     Indeed, 
the  earth   and   the  trees   were  literally  load- 
ed with    every  good  thing.     Thunder  show- 
ers were  very  frequent,  and  a  healthier  season, 
thus  far,  has  not  been  experienced  for  many 
years. 

1818.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  75.     It  commenced,  continued,  and 
ended  well.     It  was  indeed  a  delightful  sum- 
mer month.     There  was  an  abundance  of  every 
thing  that  was  good,  both  of  fruits  and  vegeta- 
bles.    The  fine  refreshing  showers  interspersed 
among  the   very   warm   evenings,    were  very 
grateful  to  the  feelings  of  man  and  beast.     At 
the  close  of  the  month,  more  rain  was  very 
much  needed.     On  five  days  the  mercury  rose 
to  90  and  above. 


136  J  U  L  Y. 

1819.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  73.     It  commenced  hot  and  dry. 
A  very  heavy  thunder  gust  on  the  5th,   but 
very  little  rain   fell.     It  however  cooled   the 
atmosphere,   and  brought  the  wind  to  north- 
west for  a  few  days.     On  the  8th  it  changed  to 
south-west,  and  a  week  of  very  warm  weather 
ensued  ;  after  which  it  changed  to  the  east,  and 
a  very  little  rain  fell  during  one  day,  which  was 
very  much  needed.      On  the   19th  the  wind 
southed,  and  it  alternated  from  south  to  west 
repeatedly,  and  the  residue  of  the  month  was 
fine  summer  weather,  with   occasional   small 
showers.     Vegetation  suffered  for  rain. 

1820.  The  medium  or  average  temperature 
of  this  month  was  74.     The  first  two  weeks  in 
this  month  was  very  fine  weather  for  farmers 
to  finish  their    grain  and  hay   harvest ;    they 
were  only  interrupted  by  two  or  three  thunder 
showers.     There  were  heavy  crops  of  both  hay 
and  grain.     Indian  corn  was  very  forward,  and 
looked  well.     There  were  abundance  of  vege- 
tables and  fruit.     On  the  16th  the  wrind  chan- 
ged to  the  east,  and  several  days  of  overcast, 
drizzly  weather  ensued.     The  wind  then  west- 
ed,  and  the  remainder  of  the  month  was  warm 
and  dry.     From  the  25th,  the  mornings  were 
very  foggy. 

1821.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  74,  and  there  \vas  much  very  warm 
weather  from  the  1st  to  the  16th;  the  mercury 
frequently  rose  to  90,  and  very  little  rain  fell. 
On  the  17th  the  wind  changed  to  south-east, 
and  brought  a  very  seasonable  and  refreshing 


JULY.  137 

rain,  which  was  much  needed.  On  the  20th 
the  wind  changed  to  west,  and  several  very 
warm  days  followed.  On  the  25th,  it  again 
changed  to  south-east,  and  some  foggy,  drizzly 
weather  ensued,  and  continued  until  the  month 
closed. 

1822.  The    medium   temperature    of   this 
month  was  80,  and  it  was  the  hottest  month 
since  July  1798.     A  great  drought  prevailed. 
Very  little  rain  had  fallen  since  April,  except- 
ing in  showers,  and  those  had  been  few  and  far 
between.     Vegetation  suffered  for  moisture  ex- 
ceedingly.    Eleven   days,  during   the   month, 
the  mercury  rose  to  90  and  above.     Four  days 
it  rose  to  97.     All  the  rain  that  fell  was  in  five 
thunder  showers,  and  they  were  comparatively 
light.     All  kinds  of  crops  were  light,  and  there 
was  scarcely  any  grazing  for  cattle. 

1823.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  74.     The   1st  and  2d  were  warm 
and  pleasant      On  the  3d  the  wind  changed  to 
east,  and  some  rain  fell  during  the  night  and 
subsequent  morning,  after  which  it  cleared,  and 
ten  days  of  very  w^arm  weather  ensued.     On 
the   14th  the  wind  changed  to  east,  and  two 
days  of  overcast,  misty,  rainy  weather  followed. 
On  the  20th,  the  weather  cleared  with  a  warm 
westerly  wind,  which  continued  until  the  month 
closed,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  seasonable 
and  refreshing  showers. 

1824.  The  medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  75,  and  the  first  week  was  warm 
and  dry.     The  second  week   produced  some 


138  JULY. 

very  seasonable  rainy  weather ;  after  which  it 
cleared  very  warm,  and  vegetation  thrived  with 
great  rapidity.  On  the  19th  and  23d  there 
were  heavy  thunder  showers,  but  they  did  not 
cool  the  atmosphere.  From  the  25th  to  the 
close  of  the  month,  the  mornings  were  foggy, 
but  at  mid-day  it  was  clear  and  very  warm. 

1825.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  80 ;  and  it  was  a  hot  and  dry  month. 
On  fourteen  days,  the  mercury  rose  to  90  and 
above.     During  midv-day,  it  was  only  once  be- 
low 80.     At  early  dawn,  it  was  very  variable  ; 
on  some  mornings  it  was  as  low  as  62,  and  on 
others  as  high  as  76.     No  heavy  rain  fell  dur- 
ing the  month ;  but  there  were  showers  on  the 
3d,  5th,  23d,  25th,   and  31st,  making,  in  all, 
only  two  inches  of  rain. 

1826.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  75,  and  there  were  some  very  warm 
days  during  the  month.     On  five  days  the  mer- 
cury rose  to  90.     Some  rain  fell  on  the  5th, 
13th,  17th,  and  21st,  making  in  all  three  and 
three  quarter  inches.     Vegetation  looked  very 
fair. 

1827.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  75.     It  commenced  and  continued 
very  warm  until  the  5th,  the  mercury  ranging 
from   90  to  94.     Only  once  afterwards  did  it 
rise  to  90,  during  the  month.     Some  rain  fell 
on  nine  days  in  showers ;  making  in  all  three 
inches. 

1828.  The   medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  80,  and  the  mercury  rose  to  90  and 


JULY.  139 

above,  on  six  days ;  and  on  nineteen  days,  from 
80  to  89.  Some  rain  fell  on  ten  days,  making 
in  the  whole  five  and  a  quarter  inches.  There 
was  a  good  deal  of  thunder,  and  very  vivid 
lightning,  which  struck  in  several  places,  and 
burnt  several  barns,  &c. 

1829.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  75.     On  three  days  the  mercury 
rose  to  90  ;  and  on  twenty-one  days,  from  80 
to  89,  at  mid-day.     There  was  no  heavy  rain 
during  the   month ;    but  rain  fell  in  showers 
on  eleven  days,  making,  in  the  whole,  four  and 
a   quarter   inches.      There   was    considerable 
thunder  and  lightning. 

1830.  The  medium  or  average  temperature 
of  this  month  was  80 ;  and  it  was  an  intensely 
hot  month.     At  mid-day  the  mercury  rose  to 
90  and  above,  on  twelve  days.      There  was 
much  thunder  and  lightning,  and  some  rain  fell 
on  seven  days,  making,  in  the  whole,  a  fraction 
over  four  inches. 

1831.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  78,  and  on  ten  days  the  mercury 
rose  to  90,  and  on  some  of  these  days  a  little 
above  90.     Some  rain  fell  on  eight  days,  mak- 
ing in  all  four  and  a  quarter  inches.     Vegeta- 
tion looked  very  promising,  and  fruit  was  abun- 
dant. 

1832.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  78.     There  was  much  very  warm 
and  dry  weather  during  this  month,  and  a  good 
deal  of  thunder  and  lightning,  but  very  little 
rain  fell,  only  two  and  a  half  inches  during  the 


140  J  U  L  Y. 

whole  month.  The  mercury  rose  to  90  on  two 
days,  and  from  80  to  89  on  twenty  days.  Since 
May,  vegetation  had  suffered  very  much  for 
want  of  rain.  Only  four  inches  fell  during  the 
last  nine  weeks.  There  were  some  cases  of  the 
cholera  in  Philadelphia. 

1833.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  77.     The  mercury  did  not  rise  as 
high  as  90  during  the  whole  month.     There 
was  a  great  uniformity  in  the  temperature  of 
the  weather  during   the  month.     On  sixteen 
days  it  ranged  from  82  to  88  at  mid-day ;  and 
the    remainder  of  the  month  from  72  to  78. 
Some  rain  fell  on  nine  days,  making  in  all  four 
inches  and  an  eighth. 

1834.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  77,  and  the  temperature  was  very 
variable.     On  eight  days  the  mercury  rose  to 
90  and  a  little  above  at  mid-day,  and  on  seve- 
ral days  it  did  not  rise  to  summer  heat.     But 
very  little  rain  fell  until  the  29th,  when  two 
inches  and  a  quarter  fell  on  that  day.     The 
whole  that  fell  during  the  month  was  a  fraction 
over  four  and  a  quarter  inches. 

3835.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  76.  The  temperature  of  this  month 
was  very  uniform.  The  mercury  only  rose  to 
90  twice ;  but  the  mercury  ranged  from  80  to 
89  on  twenty  days  during  mid-day.  More  or 
less  rain  fell  on  ten  days,  making  in  all  six  and 
a  half  inches.  Ten  inches  of  rain  fell  during 
the  last  eight  weeks.  The  farmers  had  an  un- 
favourable time  for  gathering  their  harvest  of 
grain  and  hay. 


JULY.  141 

1836.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  76,  during  which  there  were  several 
very  warm  days,  on  two  of  which  the  mercury 
rose  to  90,  and  on  twenty  days  from  80  to  88. 
More  or  less  rain  fell  on  six  days,  making  in 
all  three  inches.      Vegetation  was  very  flour- 
ishing. 

1837.  The   medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  78,  and  there  was  more  uniformity 
in  the  temperature  of  the  weather  during  the 
month  than  usual.     The  mercury  did  not  rise 
to  90  once  ;  but  it  ranged  from   80  to  88  on 
twenty  days.     More  or  less  rain  fell  on  eleven 
days,  making  in  all  six  inches.     There  were 
twenty  entirely  fair  days.     Vegetation  thus  far 
was  not  so  forward  as  usual,  but  after  the  18th, 
the  uniformity  of  heat,  and  the  frequent  small 
showers,  gave  an  impetus  to  vegetation,  and 
caused  it  to  progress  with  surprising  vigour ; 
so  that  at  the  close  of  the   month   vegetation 
looked  very  flourishing. 

1838.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  81,  and  it  was  the  warmest  month 
in  this  vicinity,  that  we  have  on  our  record  for 
several  years.     On  eighteen  days,  (during  mid- 
day) the  mercury  rose  to  90  and  above  ;  on  two 
of  these  days  it  rose  to  96 \  in  the  shade,  but 
being  placed  for  thirty  minutes  in  the  full  rays 
of  the  sun,  at  mid-day,  it  rose  to  143.     A  small 
quantity  of  rain  fell  on  six  days,  making  in  all 
two  and  a  quarter  inches  ;  but  only  in  one  in- 
stance was  the  atmosphere  cooled  after  a  thun- 
der shower,  and  in  this  instance  it  was  cooler 

19 


142  J  U  L  Y. 

only  for  a  few  hours.     There  were  twenty-one 
fair,  hot  and  dry  days. 

1839.  The  medium  or  average  temperature 
of  this  month  was  74,  during  which,  there  were 
both  cool,  and  very  warm  days.     On  nine  days 
the  mercury  rose  to  90  at  mid-day ;  one  day  it 
did  not  rise  above  67  ;  on  ten  days  there  were 
showers,  making  in  all  two  and  a  half  inches 
of  rain.     Thus  far  the  season  was  uncommonly 
healthy,  and  fruitful  for  every  thing  pleasant 
to  the  eye  and  delicious  to  the  taste. 

1840.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  74,  and  both  the  wind  and  the  wea- 
ther were  very  variable.     On  three  days  the 
mercury  rose  to  90,  and  on  five  days  it  did  not 
rise^to  76  ;  on  twelve  days  it  was  cloudy ;  on 
seven  days  some  rain  fell,  making  in  all  four 
and  a  half  inches.     On  the  13th  there  was  one 
of  the  most  terrific  thunder  gusts  which  had  oc- 
curred for  many  years ;  the  wind  blew  a  com- 
plete hurricane  for  about  fifteen  minutes,  dur- 
ing which  some  injury  was  done  to  the  ship- 
ping, and  also  to  several  houses,  and   many 
awnings  were  blown  to  tatters. 

1841.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  75,  and  a  great  part  of  which  was 
very  fine  for  harvesting.     But  there  were  some 
scorching  days,  and  others  that  were  cool.     On 
six  days  the  mercury  rose  to-  90,  and  a  little 
above.     On  six  days  some  rain  fell,  principally 
in  thunder  showers,  making  in  all  three  and  a 
quarter  inches.     During  the  thunder  shower 
on  the  5th,  the  lightning  struck  and  burnt  two 


JULY.  143 

or  three  rope-walks  and  other  buildings  contigu- 
ous, about  two  miles  from  the  city.  Several 
barns  were  also  struck  and  burnt,  in  Pennsyl- 
vania and  New  Jersey. 

1842.  The   medium   temperature    of   this 
month  was  74.     This  was  indeed  a  month  of 
thunder  showers,  and  great  destruction  by  light- 
ning, and  torrents  of  rain ;  also  by  wind  and 
hail.     The  month  commenced  with  the  mer- 
cury at  90.    From  five  to  seven  o'clock,  P.  M., 
on  the  first  day,  there  was  one  of  the  most  aw- 
ful thunder  storms  passed  over  this  city  and 
vicinity,  ever  experienced  by  the  present  gene- 
ration.    The  peals  of  thunder  were  astounding, 
and  the  lightning  the  most  terrific  ever  beheld ; 
and  the  rain  poured  down  in  such  torrents  for 
two  and  a  half  hours,  that  several  of  the  streets 
in  the  eastern  part  of  the  city  were  covered  to 
the  depth  of  two  feet,  and  many  basements  and 
cellars  completely  filled,  and  a  great  amount  of 
goods  destroyed.     During  this  shower,  nearly 
six  inches  of  rain  fell.     The  lightning  struck 
and  consumed  several  barns  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  city,  and  several  houses  were  struck  in  the 
city  and   liberties,  also  several  persons  were 
stunned.     Some  rain  also  fell  on  twelve  other 
days,  principally  in  showers,  making  in  all, 
which  fell  during  the  month,  TWELVE  INCHES  ! 
which  is  the  greatest  quantity  in  any  one  month 
we  can  find  on  record. 

1843.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  74,  during  which  there  was  a  great 
variation  in  the  temperature,  from  day  to  day. 
On  the  1st,  the  mercury  was  90,  and  on  the  2d, 


144  JULY. 

it  was  96.  On  the  morning  of  the  3d  it  was 
only  60,  and  did  not  rise  above  72  at  mid-day. 
At  sunrise  on  the  4th  it  was  only  58.  During 
the  month  it  rose  to  90  and  above,  on  eight 
days.  More  or  less  rain  fell  on  twelve  days, 
making  in  all  four  and  a  half  inches.  Vege- 
tation and  fruit  were  very  luxuriant 

1844.  The     medium    temperature    of  this 
month  was  74 ;  and  there  was  a  good  deal  of 
uniformity  in  its  temperature,  from  day  to  day. 
The  mercury  rose  to  90  but  once.     On  twenty 
days  the  mercury  varied  from  80  to  89.     More 
or  less  rain  fell  on  twelve  days,  making  in  all 
five   and  a  quarter   inches.     Notwithstanding 
this  part  of  the  country  was  blest  with  frequent 
refreshing  rains,  other  portions  were  parched 
by  distressing  drought. 

1845.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  76 ;  it  commenced  and  continued 
cool  until  the  7th,  when  the  wind  changed  to 
south-west,  and  the  weather  became  very  warm, 
and  so  continued  until  the  23d,  when  the  wind 
changed  to  north-west,  and  the  atmosphere  be- 
came gradually  cooler,  until  the  mercury  sunk 
to  58  at  sunrise,  and  74  during  mid-day.    From 
the  llth  to  the  23d,  the  mercury  rose  to  90  and 
above,  on  ten  days.    There  were  thunder  show- 
ers on  the  2d,  14th,  16th,  22d,  27th,  and  30th, 
and  some  sprinkles  of  rain  on  three  other  days, 
making  in  all  two  and  three  quarter  inches. 

1846.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  74.     It  commenced  and  continued 
overcast  and  rainy  until  the  5th,  with  the  wind 


JULY.  145 

from  south-east  to  north-east,  when  the  wind 
changed  to  south-west,  and  it  cleared  warm; 
but  toward  evening,  there  was  a  heavy  thunder 
shower.  It  afterwards  continued  clear  and 
very  warm  until  the  12th,  when  there  was  an- 
other thunder  shower  in  the  afternoon,  after 
which  it  cleared  cooler,  and  so  continued  until 
the  17th,  when  there  was  a  north-east  rain 
storm;  after  which  the  weather  was  alternate- 
ly cloudy,  drizzly,  and  partly  clear,  until  the 
23d,  wrhen  the  wind  changed  from  east  to  south- 
west, and  it  continued  clear  nearly  all  the  time 
until  the  month  closed.  Some  rain  fell  on 
thirteen  days,  making  in  all  four  and  a  half 
inches.  A  meteor  passed  over  this  city  about 
nine  o'clock  on  the  evening  of  the  13th  of  this 
month,  which  was  afterwards  described  in  the 
newspapers  of  Baltimore,  Annapolis,  York 
county,  Pa.,  Carlisle,  &c.  as  being  much  more 
brilliant  than  it  was  here. 


13* 


RECORD    OF   THE    WEATHER 

IN    PHILADELPHIA, 

FOR  THE  MO3TTH  OF 

AUGUST. 

1790.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  74,  during  which  there  was  a  good 
deal  of  foggy,  misty,  dog-days'  weather,  but 
when  the  fog  dispersed,  the  sun  shone  quite 
warm.     On  the  12th  the  wind  changed  to  east, 
and   considerable  rain  fell.     On  the  15th  the 
wind  changed  to  the  west,  and  the  weather  was 
very  warm  and  pleasant  until  the  20th,  when  the 
wind  again  changed  to  east,  and  a  drizzly,  over- 
cast, foggy  spell  ensued  until  the  27th,  when 
the  wind  wested,  and  the  weather  was  pleasant 
until  the  month  closed. 

1791.  The    medium     temperature    of    this 
month  was  75.     This  month  commenced  and 
continued,  very  warm,   with  foggy  mornings, 
and  so  continued  until  the  10th,  when  the  wind 
changed  to  north-east,  and  a  drizzly,  rainy  spell 
followed  until  the  16th,  when  it  cleared  cool 
with  the  wind  at  north-west.     On  the  19th  the 
wind  wested,  and  it  became  very  warm  and 
pleasant,    and   so   continued,    with   occasional 
thunder  showers,  until  the  28th,  when  the  wind 


AUGUST.  147 

changed  to  east  and  south-east,  and  it  was 
foggy,  damp  and  drizzly,  until  the  month 
closed. 

1792.  The    medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  76,  and  there  was  some  very  hot 
days.     The  mercury  rose  to  90  on  three  days, 
and  from  84  to  89,  on  ten  days.     The  weather 
was  hot  and  dry  until  the  llth,  and  vegetation 
suffered  very  much  for  rain.     On  the  llth  the 
wind  changed  to  east,  and  a  copious  and  re- 
freshing rain  followed,  to  gladden  the  hearts  of 
many.      On  the   16th   the   wind   changed  to 
south-west,  and  the  weather  was  very  warm 
until  the  21st,  when  it  changed  to  north-east, 
and  afterwards  to  east,  and  during  the  remain- 
der  of  the   month   it   was   alternately  foggy, 
drizzly,  rainy,  fair,  warm,  and  cool. 

1793.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  74,  and  there  was  much  damp,  fog- 
gy, and  very  sultry  weather,  with  some  cool 
evenings  and  mornings,  until  the  13th,  when 
the  wind  changed  to  west,  and  afterwards  to 
south-west,  and  there  was  a  terrific  thunder 
shower,  with  very  vivid  lightning,  which  struck 
in  several  places.     This  shower  was  joyfully 
received,  as  it  was  in  the  midst  of  a  melancholy 
drought,  and  a  good  deal  of  sickness  prevailed. 
It  was  supposed  that  as  many  as  a  hundred 
cases  of  yellow  fever  occurred  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  city  during  the  month,  and  but  few 
persons  recovered.     Fences  were  built  across 
the  streets,  to  prevent  persons  from  going  into 
the  infected  part  of  the  city.     After  the  shower 
of  the  14th,  there  was  no  more  rain  during  the 


148  A  U  G  U  S  T. 

month,  but  cool,  foggy  mornings  and  hot  days. 
The  drought  and  heat  continued  through  Sep- 
tember and  a  part  of  October,  and  much  sick- 
ness prevailed. 

1794.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  71,  and   it   commenced   cool  and 
damp,  with  the  \vind  at  north-east.     It  rained 
on  the  5th,  and  on  the  6th  the  wind  wested, 
and  several  very  warm  days  ensued.     On  the 
9th  there  was  a  violent  thunder  gust,  and  it 
cleared  cooler  with  the  wind  at  north-west.     On 
the  10th  the  wind  changed  to  south-west,  and 

O  ' 

cool  nights,  foggy  mornings,  and  wrarm  days 
followed,  until  the  18th,  when  the  wind  chan- 
ged to  east,  and  a  cloudy,  drizzly  spell  of  wea- 
ther ensued  until  the  25th;  when  the  wind 
southed,  and  foggy  mornings  and  wrarm  sunny 
days  continued  until  the  month  closed. 

1795.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  70 ;  it  commenced  warm  and  plea- 
sant, with  a  fine  westerly  breeze.     On  the  3d 
the  wind  southed,  and  it  continued  warm  until 
the  7th,    when   there   was   a   heavy   thunder 
shower  in  the  evening,  which  changed  the  wind 
to  north-west,  and  it  was  cool  until  the  12th, 
when  the  wind  changed  to  south-east,  and  a 
foggy,  damp,  cool,  drizzly  spell  continued  for  a 
week.     On  the  19th  the  wind  southed,  and  it 
was  warm  and  tolerably  pleasant  until  the  26th, 
when  the  wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  a 
rainy,  chilly  spell  closed  the  month. 

1796.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  72,  and  easterly  winds  and  foggy, 


AUGUST.  149 

damp,  drizzly  weather  prevailed  until  the  8th, 
when  the  wind  changed  to  south-west,  and  ten 
days  of  warm,  dry  pleasant  weather  ensued. 
On  the  19th,  the  wind  changed  to  north-east, 
which  brought  a  soaking  rain  storm,  and  it 
cleared  on  the  21st,  with  a  cool  north-west 
wind,  which  produced  some  cold,  frosty  nights. 
On  the  27th  the  wind  wested,  and  the  weather 
was  warm  and  pleasant  the  residue  of  the 
month. 

1797.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  74 ;  and  there  were  alternately  some 
very  hot,  and  some  quite  cool  days.     Very  little 
rain  fell,  and  owing  to  the  drought,  corn  and 
late  potatoes  suffered  very  much.     Some  very 
foggy,  easterly  weather  prevailed  during  the 
last  two  weeks.     Fruit  was  very  plenty,  and 
owing  to  too  free  use  of  it,  the  dysentery  was 
very  prevalent  among  adults  as  well  as  chil- 
dren,   and    many   children    died    during    the 
month. 

1798.  The  medium  or  average  temperature 
of  this  month  was  77,  and  there  was  an  unusual 
quantity  of  very  hot  and  dry  weather.  Although 
there  were  several  thunder  showers,  yet  com- 
paratively but   a   small  quantity  of  rain  fell. 
Foggy  mornings  and  hot  sunny  days  prevailed 
a  great  part  of  the  month.     On  the  19th  the 
wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  on  the  20th  to 
east,  and  there  was  several  cool,  damp,  misty 
days,  but  very  little  rain  fell.     During  this  and 
the  succeeding  month,  several  cases  of  yellow 
fever  again  occurred  near  the  wharves,  in  the 
eastern  part  of  the  city,  which  was  traced  to 


150  AUGUST. 

two  vessels  from  the  West  Indies  that  came 
from  a  sickly  port,  and  had  lost  part  of  their 
crews  by  the  yellow  fever;  but  through  the 
vigilance  of  the  Board  of  Health,  the  vessels 
were  sent  down  to  the  quarantine  and  the  fever 
was  stopped,  after  a  few  cases  had  occurred.  The 
same  fever  which  occurred  in  this  city  in  1793, 
was  also  imported  by  vessels  from  the  West  In- 
dies, where  said  fever  prevailed,  but  it  had  then 
spread  to  an  alarming  degree  before  it  was  as- 
certained that  it  was  imported.  Perhaps  there 
is  not  a  healthier  city  on  earth  than  Philadel- 
phia, and  no  city  which  has  a  more  vigilant 
board  of  health  and  police. 

1799.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  71,  and  there  was  a  good  deal  of 
damp,  drizzly,  foggy,  dog-days'  weather.  There 
were,  however,  a  few  very  hot  days,  after  the 
fog  dispersed,  and  on  two  of  those  days  the 
mercury  ran  up  to  90,  and  on  four  others  from 
86  to  88;  during  those  hot  days,  there  were 
two  severe  thunder  gusts,  which  caused  some 
cool  weather  afterwards. 

1800.  The  medium  or  average  temperature 
of  this  month  was  72,   and  it  was  a  month  of 
many  weathers.     There  were  several  very  hot 
days,  with  the  wind  from  west  to  south,  which 
produced    some    thunder    showers.     It    then 
changed  to  north  and  south-east,  and  a  spell  of 
rainy  weather  ensued.     The  wind  afterwards 
changed  to  north-west,  and  some  cool  days  and 
nights  followed.     The  wind  then  changed  to 
south-east,    and    the   whole   country  was   en- 
veloped in  fog  by  day  and  by  night.     It  clear- 


AUGUST.  151 

ed  after  two  days  with  a  brisk  north-wester, 
which  blew  away  all  the  fog,  vapour  and  un- 
pleasant fluids,  and  produced  a  clear,  cool  and 
healthful  atmosphere,  with  which  the  month 
closed. 

1801.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  70,  and  there  was  more  cool,  damp 
weather  than  usual  for  August.     Northerly  and 
north-easterly  winds  prevailed  until  the  middle 
of  the  month,  after  which  the  wind  changed 
to  south-east,  and  fogs,  mists  and  a  drizzly  rain 
followed.     On  the  19th  there  was  an  easterly 
rain  storm ;  on  the  21st  it  cleared  cool  with  the 
wind  at  north-west,  and  afterwards  to  south- 
west, and  foggy  mornings  and  hot  days  ensued 
until  the  month  closed. 

1802.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  72,  and  it  commenced  very  warm 
and  dry,  with  wind  varying  from  west  to  south 
until  the  llth,  when  it  changed  to  east,  and  a 
very  refreshing  rain  fell,  and  on  the  14th  the 
wind  southed,  and   foggy  mornings   and   hot 
days  followed  until  the  20th,  when  the  wind 
changed  to  east,  and  the  weather  was  very  va- 
riable the  residue  of  the  month. 

1803.  The    medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  70,  and  it  commenced  overcast  and 
drizzly  with  the  wind  east.     On  the  5th  the 
wind  wested,  and  it  was  warm  and  pleasant 
until   the    13th,   when   the  wind    changed   to 
south-east,  and  several  days  of  wet  weather  en- 
sued.    The  wind  then  changed  to  north-west, 
and  three  quite  cool  days  followed;  after  which, 


152  A  U  G  U  S  T. 

it  southed,  and  live  days  of  foggy  mornings  and 
warm  sunny  days  occurred;  when  the  wind 
again  changed  to  east,  and  the  remainder  of  the 
month  was  damp  and  cool. 

1804.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  69,  and  a  very  cool  month  it  was. 
On  two  or  three  mornings  light  frosts  were 
very  perceptible.     From  the  8th  to  the  14th, 
the  wind  varied  from  west  to  south,  and  there 
was  one  week  of  pleasant  weather.     On  the 
15th  it  changed  again  to  east,  and  a  long  spell 
of  foggy,  drizzly,  rainy  weather  ensued.     On 
the  24th  the  wind  changed  to  north-west,  and 
on  the  27th  to  south-west.     On  the  28th  there 
was  a  thunder  gust,  after  which  it  cleared  cool, 
and  thus  the  month  ended. 

1805.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  70.     It  commenced  foggy,  and  af- 
terwards cleared  warm,  and  so  continued,  until 
the  10th,  when  the  wind  changed  to  east,  and 
a  whole  week  of  damp,  drizzly  weather  ensued. 
On  the  16th  the  wind  changed  to  west,  and 
afterwards  to  south-west,  and  several  very  warm 
days  followed.     On  the  21st  the  wind  changed 
to  north-east,  which  produced  four  cool,  chilly 
days.      On  the  25th  it  changed   to  east,  and 
foggy,  damp,  drizzly  weather  closed  the  month. 

1806.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  69,  and  it  wras  cool  and  unpleasant 
for  several  days ;  after  which  some  foggy  morn- 
ings and  hot   days   ensued.      After  the  20th 
there  were  several  overcast,  drizzly,  rainy  days. 
There  was  a  light  frost  on  two  mornings,  and 


AUGUST.  153 

the  weather  during  the  month  was  very  varia- 
ble. 

1807.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  71.     The  month  commenced  with 
a  clear  atmosphere,  and  a  refreshing  westerly 
breeze.     It  continued  very  fine  (with  the  wind 
varying  from  west  to  south-west,)  until  the  7th, 
when  a  heavy  thunder  shower  occurred  in  the 
evening.     On  the  morning  of  the  8th  the  wind 
blew  fresh  and  cool  from  the  north-west,  and  it 
continued  cool  until  the  llth,  when  the  wind 
wested,  and  it  became  much  warmer.     On  the 
15th  the  wind  southed,  and  there  was  a  heavy 
thunder  gust,  after  which  the  wind  changed  to 
the  north-east,  and  a  damp,  drizzly,  cool  atmos- 
phere followed  until  the  23d,  when  the  wind 
changed  to  south-west,  and  foggy  mornings  and 
warm  days  ensued  until  the  month  closed. 

1808.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  73,  and  foggy  mornings  and  hot 
days  followed,  during   the  first  week  ;    when 
the   wind  changed  to  east,  and  four  days  of 
damp,  drizzly  weather  ensued ;  after  which  the 
wind  wested,  and  there  was  a  spell  of  warm, 
splendid  weather,  with  the  wind  varying  from 
west  to  south,  during  which  there  were  two 
severe  thunder  gusts.     On  the  21st  the   wind 
changed  to  east,  and  considerable  rain  fell.    On 
the  24th  it  cleared  with  the  wind  at  south-west, 
and  several  warm  days  ensued.     On  the  29th 
the  wind  changed  to  south-east,  and  the  residue 
of  the  month  was  extremely  foggy  and  damp. 
During  the  month,  the  mercury  rose  to  90  on 
three  days,  and  on  eight  days  from  85  to  88. 

14 


154  AUGUST. 

1809.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  72,  and  the  mornings  were  foggy, 
and  mid-days  very  warm  until  the  5th,  when 
the  wind  changed  to  east,  and  the  weather  was 
overcast,   damp    and  drizzly   until    the    28th, 
when  the  wind  changed  to  west,  and  a  whole 
week  of  clear  dry  weather  ensued.     On  the 
16th  there  was  a  violent  thunder  shower,  with 
terrific  lightning ;  at  the  close  of  the  shower 
some  hail  fell,  which  broke  much  window-glass. 
On  the    17th  the  atmosphere  was  quite  cool, 
with   the   wind  at  north-west.     It   continued 
cool  until  the  20th,  when  the  wind  southed, 
and  some  foggy  mornings  and  warm  days  fol- 
lowed until  the  26th,  when  the  wind  changed 
to  east,  and  damp,  drizzly  weather  continued 
until  the  month  closed. 

1810.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  69 ;  and  the  month  commenced  in 
a  dense  fog,  and  foggy  mornings  and  warm 
days  followed  until  the  4th,  when  there  was  a 
heavy  thunder  gust,  which  brought  the  wind 
to  north-west,  and  cool  weather  continued  until 
the  9th,  when  the  wind  changed  to  south-west, 
and  it  was  warm  and  pleasant  until  the  14th, 
when  a  dry,  chilly  north-east  wind  followed, 
until  the  21st,  at  which  time  the  wind  changed 
to  south-east,  and  it  rained  on  the  22d  and  23d, 
and   the  weather   continued   cool,    damp   and 
drizzly  until  the  26th,  when  the  wind  changed 
to  west,  and  the  weather  was  pleasant  until  the 
month  closed.     The  season  abounded  in  fruit 
and  vegetables  of  all  kinds,  and  Indian  corn 
and  potatoes  promised  an  abundant  yield. 


AUGUST.  155 

1811.  The   medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  73.     The  month  commenced   hot 
and  dry,  and  so  continued  until  the  llth,  when 
the  wind  changed  to  east,  and  on  the  12th  it 
rained  moderately  nearly  the  whole  day.     The 
atmosphere  continued  cool  until  the  17th,  when 
the  wind  southed,  and  eight  days  of  very  warm 
weather  ensued.  On  the  25th  the  wind  changed 
to  north-east,  and  on  the  26th  to  east,  and  a 
foggy,  damp  atmosphere  concluded  the  month. 

1812.  The    medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  71 ;  it  commenced  cloudy  and  damp, 
but  the  2d  brought  a  westerly  wind  and  clear 
atmosphere,  and  it  continued  warm  and  plea- 
sant   until   the   10th,   when   a   thunder   gust 
brought  the  wind  to  north-west,  and  three  days 
of  cool  weather  ensued.     On  the  15th  the  wind 
changed  to  east,  and  it  became  overcast,  damp 
and  drizzly  for  several  days.     On  the  20th  the 
wind  southed,  and  foggy  mornings  and  warm 
days  followed,  until  the  26th,  when  the  wind 
changed  to  north-east,  and  it  was  quite  cool  and 
damp  until  the  month  closed. 

1813.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  70,  and  much  cool,  damp,  overcast 
weather  prevailed  during  the  month.     Some- 
times the  wind  changed  to  west  or  south-west, 
for  a  few  days,  and  fine,  clear,  and  splendid 
weather  followed.     It  then  suddenly  changed 
to  north-east,  and  produced  a  cool,  damp  atmos- 
phere, and  after  two  or  three  days  it  changed 
to  east,  and  rain  followed  for  a  day  or  two.     In 
this   way  the  weather   alternated   during  the 
whole   month.      There   were,  however,   some 


156  AUGUST. 

very  foggy  mornings  and  warm  days.  On  the 
27th  there  was  a  destructive  gale  at  Charleston, 
S.  C.,  which  did  immense  damage  to  the  ship- 
ping, &c. 

1814.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  70,  and  it  was  a  month  of  great 
changes  of  weather.    It  commenced  very  warm, 
with  the  wind  at  south-west.     On  the  5th,  after 
a  heavy  thunder  gust,  the  wind   changed  to 
chilly  north-east,  and  many  persons  took  vio- 
lent colds,  owing  to  the  great  and  sudden  change 
in  the  weather.     In  twelve  hours  the  mercury 
sank  from  90  to  60.     It  continued  cool  until 
the  9th,  when  the  wind  changed  to  south-east, 
and  foggy,  drizzly  weather   ensued  until  the 
12th,  when  it  cleared  with  a  cool  north-west 
wind.     On  the  15th  it  changed  to  south-west, 
and  it  was  warm  and  pleasant  until  the  21st, 
when  a  thunder  gust  produced  a  cold  north- 
west wind,  which   continued  for   three   days. 
The  wind  went  down  with  the  sun,  and  during 
each  night  there  was  a  light  frost.     On  the 
25th,  the  wind  southed,  and  foggy  mornings 
and  warm  days  ensued  until  the  month  closed. 

1815.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  72,  and  it  commenced  enveloped  in 
a  dense  fog,  which  the  sun  did  not  wholly  dis- 
perse until  eleven  o'clock,  when  it  shone  very 
hot.     Foggy  mornings  and  oppressively  warm 
days  continued  until  the  6th,  wThen  a  violent 
thunder  shower,  with  terrific  lightning,  cooled 
the  atmosphere,  and  changed  the  wind  to  north- 
west.    On  the  10th  it  changed  to  east,  and  a 
thick,  misty  atmosphere  ensued,  with  occasional 


AUGUST.  157 

rain,  until  the  15th,  when  the  wind  changed  to 
west,  and  a  week  of  delightful  weather  follow- 
ed. On  the  22d  the  wind  changed  to  south- 
east, and  an  overcast,  damp,  drizzly  spell  of 
weather  ensued  until  the  27th,  after  which  it 
cleared  with  a  westerly  wind  and  pure  atmos- 
phere, which  continued  until  the  month  closed. 

1816.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  only  66 !  and  such  a  cheerless,  des- 
ponding, melancholy  summer  month,  the  old- 
est inhabitant  never,  perhaps,  experienced.  This 
poor  month  entered  upon  its  duties  so  perfectly 
chilled,  as  to  be  unable  to  raise  one  warm,  fog- 
gy morning,  or  cheerful  sunny  day.     It  com- 
menced with  a  cold  north-east  rain  storm,  and 
when  it  cleared  the  atmosphere  was  so  chilled 
as  to  produce  ice  in  many  places  half  an  inch 
thick.     It  froze  the  Indian  corn,  which  was  in 
the  milk,  so  hard,  that  it  rotted  up  on  the  stock, 
and  farmers  mowed  it  down  and  dried  it  for 
cattle-fodder.     Every  green  thing  was  destroy- 
ed, not  only  in  this  country  but  in  Europe. 
Newspapers  received  from  England  said,  "  It 
will  ever  be  remembered  by  the  present  gene- 
ration, that  the  year  1816  was  a  year  in  which 
there  was  no  summer."     Indian  corn,  raised  in 
Pennsylvania  in  1815,  sold  (for  seed  to  plant  in 
the  spring  of  1817,)  for  four  dollars  per  bushel 
in  many  places. 

1817.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  72 ;  during  which,  there  was  much 
delightfully   pleasant    weather.     There    were 
fine  crops  of  grain  and  vegetables  of  every  de- 
scription, and  fruit  was  very  abundant  and  joy 

14* 


158  A  U  G  U  S  T. 

and  gladness  filled  every  heart.  Seasonable 
rains,  warm  sunshines,  and  foggy  mornings 
continued  until  the  month  closed. 

1818.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  73,  and  it  was  a  hot  and  dry  month. 
Foggy  mornings  and  intensely  warm  days  fol- 
lowed each  other  in  quick  succession  until  the 
middle  of  the  month,  before  any  rain  fell,  ex- 
cept the  skirts  of  two  thunder  showers,  which 
passed   south  of  the   city.     At  last  the  wind 
changed  to  east,  and  it  rained  part  of  a  day  and 
night,  to  the  joy  of  thousands,  and  afterwards 
cleared  much  cooler,  and  so  continued  until  the 
24th,  when  the  wind  again  southed,  and  foggy 
mornings  and  warm  days  followed  until  the 
month  closed.     On  five  days  the  mercury  rose 
to  90,  and  on  thirteen  other  days  it  rose  from 
84  to  88. 

1819.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  71,  and  it  was  clear  and  moderately 
warm  until  the  13th,  after  which  foggy  morn- 
ings and  hot  days  followed  until  the  23d,  with 
a  distressing  drought.    Almost  every  thing  was 
parched  up.     On  the  23d  there  was  a  thunder 
gust,  with  terrific  lightning,  but  not  much  rain 
fell  in  this  vicinity ;  after  the   shower,  a  cool 
north-west  wind    succeeded  for  several   days, 
when  the  wind   southed,  and  foggy  mornings 
and  warm  days  ensued  until  the  month  closed. 

1820.  The    medium    temperature    of  this 
month  was  70,  during  which  there  was  much 
cool,  wet,  easterly  weather,  and  when  the  wind 
changed  to  west  or  south-west,  the  re-action 


,    .  A  U  G  U  S  T.  159 

was  extremely  oppressive.  For  several  days 
the  mercury  ran  up  to  88  and  90,  and  there 
were  several  alarming  cases  of  fever  in  the  east- 
ern part  of  the  city,  which  originated  from 
clothes  and  bedding  sent  from  a  vessel  that  had 
recently  arrived  from  the  West  Indies  ;  but  the 
cases  were  confined  to  a  few  families,  and  the 
alarm  soon  subsided.  From  the  22d  to  the 
close  of  the  month,  damp  easterly  weather  pre- 
vailed. 

1821.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month   was   73.     It  commenced   with   foggy 
mornings  and  warm  sunny  days,  which  con- 
tinued until  the  9th,  when  there  was  a  tremen- 
dous thunder  shower,  which  changed  the  wind 
to  north-west,  and  several  cool  days  followed. 
On  the  13th  the  wind  wested,  and  a  week  of 
delightful   weather    ensued ;    after   which,   it 
changed  to  east,  and  there  was  a  copious  rain. 
From  the  24th  to  the  close  of  the  month,  foggy 
mornings   and  warm   days   followed.     A  few 
cases  of  fever  occurred,  as  in  the  corresponding 
month  of  last  year. 

1822.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  76,  and  there  was  much  oppres- 
sively hot  weather,  and  but  very  little  rain  fell. 
Westerly  and  southerly  winds  prevailed  a  great 
part  of  the  month.     From  the  18th  the  fog  was 
so  dense  and  wet,  it  was  like  a  misty  or  drizzly 
rain ;  and  as  the  sun  dispersed  the  fog  late  in 
the  morning,  it  then  shone  with  almost  a  scorch- 
ing heat,  and  for  eight  days  the  mercury  ran 
up  to  90  and  above ;  on  two  days  it  reached 
96.     During  this  month,  the  yellow  fever  pre- 


160  AUGUST. 

vailed  in  New  York  city,  and  there  were  a  few 
instances  in  this  city. 

1823.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  70,  and  foggy  mornings  and  warm 
days  ensued,  until   the  8th,  when   the  wind 
changed  to  north-east,  and  cool,  damp  weather 
followed  until  the  1 1th,  after  which,  the  wind 
changed  to  east,  and  it  rained  moderately  dur- 
ing the  day.     On  the  13th  the  wind  changed 
to  north,  and  there  was  a  week  of  cool  weather, 
when  the  wind  wested,  and  some  moderately 
warm  weather  followed  until  the  25th,  when 
the   wind   changed  to   south-east,  and  damp, 
drizzly  weather  closed  the  month. 

1824.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  71,  and  it  commenced  with  the  wind 
at  north-east,  and  a  cool,  damp,  drizzly  atmos- 
phere followed  until  the  5th,  when  the  wind 
changed  to  west,  and  on  the  7th,  to  south-west, 
and  the  weather  was  warm  and  dry  until  the 
15th,  when  the  wind  changed  to  east,  and  a 
very  seasonable  rain  fell.     On  the  17th,  the 
wind  changed  to  north,  and  it  was  quite  cool 
until  the  22d,  when  the  wind  wested,  and  warm 
and  delightful  weather  ensued,  until  the  month 
closed. 

1825.  The  medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  72.     It  commenced  with  a  warm 
westerly  wind,  and  the  mercury  ran  up  to  86 
at  mid-day ;  but  on  the  2d  the  wind  changed 
to  north-east,   and  it  was  cool  until  the  5th, 
when  the  wind  southed,  and  it  was  quite  warm 
until  the  llth,  after  which  the  wind  changed 


AUGUST.  161 

to  north-east,  and  three  days  of  cool  weather 
ensued.  On  the  14th,  the  wind  changed  to 
south-west,  and  three  days  of  intensely  hot 
weather  followed,  with  the  mercury  ranging 
from  92  to  94.  On  the  17th,  the  wind  again 
changed  to  north-east,  and  it  was  cool  until  the 
25th,  (rain  falling  on  part  of  those  days.)  From 
the  26th  until  the  month  closed,  it  was  quite 
warm.  The  mercury  rose  to  90  and  above,  on 
five  days.  On  one  day,  it  did  not  rise  above 
62 ;  and  on  several  other  days  it  did  not  rise  to 
summer  heat.  Some  rain  fell  on  eight  days, 
making  in  all  three  and  three  quarter  inches. 

1826.  The    medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  72,  and  it  produced  quite  a  variety, 
both  as  it  respects  wind  and  weather.     It  com- 
menced very  warm,  and  the  mercury  ran  up  to 
90   at   mid-day.     On   thirteen   other   days,  it 
ranged  from  80  to  85,  and  on  fourteen  other 
days,  it  ranged  from  70  to  76,  at  mid-day.     On 
nineteen  days,  the  wind  was  from  north-east  to 
east.     On  the  remaining  days,  it  was  from  north 
to  south-west.    There  was  no  regular  rain  storm 
during  the  month,  but  a  little  rain  fell  on  eleven 
days,  making   in   all  two   and    three   quarter 
inches. 

1827.  The    medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  70;  it  commenced  and  continued 
very  warm  until  the  12th.   with  the  wind  at 
south-west,  when  it  changed  to  north-east,  and 
it  was  cooler  until  the  21st,  which  was  very 
warm.     But  from  the  22d  to  the  close  of  the 
month,  it  was  much  cooler ;  on  two  or  three  of 
those  days,  it  did  not  rise  to  70  at  mid-day,  and 


162  AUGUST. 

only  to  57  at  sunrise.  On  the  26th,  there  was 
a  north-east  rain  storm,  during  which  more 
than  three  inches  of  rain  fell,  and  some  rain  fell 
on  three  other  days,  making  in  all  five  and 
three  quarter  inches.  The  mercury  rose  to  90 
and  above,  on  the  4th,  5th,  and  6th,  and  from 
85  to  88  on  seven  other  days. 

1828.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  76.     The  first  three  days  in  this 
month  were  very  warm,  the  mercury  ranging 
from  88  to  91.     On  the  4th,  the  wind  changed 
to  north-east,  and  one  and  a  quarter  inches  of 
rain  fell,  which  was  the  only  rain  that  fell  dur- 
ing the  month,  except  a  very  little  on  two  other 
days,   making  in  all  one   and   a   half  inches. 
From  the  7th  to  the  17th,  inclusive,  it  was  very 
warm,  when  three  days  of  cooler  weather  en- 
sued.    From  the  2]  st  to  the  close  of  the  month, 
it  was  very  warm  and  very  dry.     The  mercury 
rose  during  the  month  to  90  and  above,  on  nine 
days,  but  not  in  succession.     There  was  much 
thunder  and  lightning  during  the  month. 

1829.  The    medium   temperature    of   this 
month  was  75.     This  was  also  a  warm  month, 
but  not  so  intensely  hot  and  dry  as  the  corres- 
ponding month  of  last  year.     Much  more  rain 
fell,  and  the  temperature  was  more  uniform. 
The  mercury  rose  to  90  and  above,  on  three 
days  only ;  and  it  ranged  from  83  to  88  on  fif- 
teen days.     More  or  less  rain  fell  on  eight  days, 
making  in  all  four  and  a  half  inches. 

1830.  The   medium    temperature    of   this 
month  was  75.     This   month   was   uniformly 


AUGUST.  163 

warm,  with  a  few  exceptions.  The  mercury 
rose  to  90  only,  on  four  days ;  and  from  84  to 
88  on  fifteen  days.  More  or  less  rain  fell  on 
eight  days,  making  in  all  four  inches.  There 
were  two  severe  thunder  gusts  during  the 
month. 

1831.  The    medium    temperature    of   this 
month  was  76 ;  and  it  was  a  very  warm  month. 
On  ten  days,  the  mercury  rose  to  90.     Wester- 
ly and  southerly  winds  prevailed  a  great  part 
of  the  month.     More  or  less  rain  fell  on  eight 
days,  making  in  all  five  and  a  quarter  inches. 
There  was  much  thunder  and  lightning  during 
the  month. 

1832.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  74.     There  was  a  great  uniformity 
of  temperature  during  the  month.     The  mer- 
cury^did  not  rise  to  90  once,  but  it  ranged  from 
84  to  88  on  thirteen  days.     More  or  less  rain 
fell  on  nine  days,  making  in  all  five  and  three 
quarter  inches.     During  this  and  the  previous 
month,  the  cholera  prevailed  in  Philadelphia. 

1833.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  74,  and  there  was  great  uniformity 
in  the   temperature  of  this   month,  although 
there  were  a  few  very  cool  days.     The  wind 
was  exceedingly  variable,  and  more  or  less  rain 
fell  on  seven  days,  making  in  all  three  and  a 
quarter  inches.     There  were  some  foggy  morn- 
ings, and  two  thunder  gusts. 

1834.  The   medium     temperature   of   this 
month  was  73 ;  and  it  was  a  very  dry  and  cool 
month.     North  and  north-east  winds  prevailed 


164  AUGUST. 

very  much.  There  were,  however,  nearly  two 
weeks  of  westerly  winds,  which  produced  a 
very  heated  atmosphere.  The  drought  was 
very  severe.  Only  a  fraction  over  an  half  inch 
of  rain  fell  during  the  whole  month. 

1835.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  72 ;  and  the  temperature  was  very 
variable.     The   weather  was   very   warm   for 
some  days,  and  then  cool.     And  it  varied  in 
this  way  several  times  during  the  month.     A 
very  little  rain  fell  on  eleven  days,  the  whole 
measuring  only  two  inches. 

1836.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  70.     It  commenced  warm,  with  the 
mercury  at  86,   and   afterwards   it   continued 
moderately  warm  until  the  5th,  with  the  mer- 
cury at   80   in   the   shade,  at  mid-day;    after 
which    the  wind   changed  to  north-east,   and 
some  rain  fell.     It  then  continued  cool  until 
the  14th,  when  the  wind  changed  to  south-west, 
and  it  was  moderately  warm  until  the  20th, 
when  the  wind  again  changed  to  north-east,  and 
it  continued  cool  until  the  month  closed.     A 
little  rain  fell  on  five  days,  making  in  all  two 
inches. 

1837.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  75  ;  and  a  great  part  of  the  month 
was  uniformly  warm.     The  first  three  days, 
the  mercury  ranged  from  84  to  89.     The  8th 
and  the  30th,  were  90.     The  remaining  days, 
(with  a  few  exceptions,)  were  warm  and  plea- 
sant.    There  was  very  little   fog   during   the 


AUGUST.  165 

month.     Rain  fell  on  nine  days,  making  in  all 
about  three  inches. 

1838.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  77,  and  there  were  some  intensely 
hot   days,   and   severe  thunder  showers.     On 
nine  days  the  mercury  was  from  90  to  95  in 
the  shade.     And  on  twelve  days,  from  84  to 
89.     On  four  days  there  were  terrific  thunder 
showers.     That  on  the  llth  was  truly  awful, 
extending  from  Virginia,  through  the  middle 
and  New  England  States.     Many  persons  were 
killed  by  lightning ;   houses  and  barns  were 
burnt;  vessels  struck  and  set  on  fire,  and  many 
animals  of  various  descriptions  killed.     During 
a  part  of  the  shower,  the  wind  blew  a  perfect 
hurricane.     In  Maryland,  several  houses  and 
other  buildings  were  demolished ;  and  in  many 
other  places  buildings  were  unroofed,  &c.    Sev- 
eral barns  were  struck  by  lightning  and  burnt 
in  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  New  York,  &c. 
In  Chesapeake  bay,  several  small  vessels  were 
capsized,  and  several  persons  drowned.     We 
saw  published  in  the  newspapers,  the  names  of 
twenty-six  persons  that  were  killed  during  this 
storm,  in  various  places.     During  the  month, 
more  or  less  rain  fell  in  this  city,  on  six  days, 
making  in  all  about  two  inches. 

1839.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  70,  and  it  was  really  a  weeping 
month.     More  or  less  rain  fell  on  sixteen  days, 
making   in   all   about  four  and  three  quarter 
inches.     A  great  majority  of  the  mornings  and 
evenings  were  enveloped  in  fogs.     There  were 
but  five  entirely  clear  days  during  the  month ; 

15 


166  AUGUST. 

and  on  no  day  did  the  mercury  rise  to  90,  and 
only  once  to  88. 

1840.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  74 ;   and  it  was  uniformly  warm 
from  the  commencement  to  the  close,  but  not 
intensely  so.     On  one  day  only,  the  mercury 
rose  to  90.     Rain  fell  in  showers  on  twelve 
days,  making  in  all  five  and  a  half  inches. 
There  were  ten  entirely  clear  days,  free  from 
clouds,  fog  or  rain.     Several  barns  were  struck 
and  consumed  by  lightning  on  the  llth  and 
12th,  in  the  vicinity  of  Bristol,  Burlington,  and 
Trenton. 

1841.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  71,  and  the  heat  was  very  uniform; 
in  only  one  instance  did  the  mercury  rise  so 
high  as  87,  at  mid-day,  in  the  shade,  and  in 
only  one  instance  was  it  so  low  as  74  at  mid- 
day.    More  or  less  rain  fell  on  twelve  days, 
making  in  all  nine  inches.     There  were  ten 
entirely  clear  days,  and  but  very  few  foggy  morn- 
ings during  the  month.     The  season  was  de- 
lightfully pleasant  and  fruitful. 

1842.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  72,  and  it  was  a  fair  specimen  of 
what   dog-days    were   in   olden   times,    about 
equally   divided   between   foggy,   hazy,    over- 
cast, cloudy,  rainy  and  sunny.     Some  nights 
so  cool  that  a  double-milled  blanket  was  com- 
fortable, and  others  so  hot  that  a  thin  covering 
was  burdensome.    The  month  commenced  with 
the  mercury  down  to  53  at  sunrise,  and  it  did 
not  rise  above  70  at  mid-day.     On  the  14th  it 


AUGUST.  167 

rose  to  80,  when  the  wind  southed,  and  the  re- 
mainder of  the  month  was  warm  summer  wea- 
ther. More  or  less  rain  fell  on  fourteen  days, 
making  in  all  three  and  three  quarter  inches. 
There  was  a  tremendous  thunder  storm  before 
day-light  on  the  morning  of  the  18th,  and  the 
lightning  struck  in  several  places. 

1843.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  75,  and  it  was  a  month  of  disasters, 
by  storms,  floods,  tornadoes,  thunder  and  light- 
ning, &c.  On  the  morning  of  the  5th  a  tre- 
mendous north-east  rain  storm  commenced  and 
continued  until  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening. 
Towards  night  there  was  terrific  thunder  and 
lightning,  and  the  rain  poured  down  in  fright- 
ful torrents.  The  streets  were  completely 
flooded  in  every  direction.  In  many  parts  of 
the  city  and  liberties  cellars  and  basement  sto- 
ries were  filled  with  water,  to  the  great  destruc- 
tion of  goods  and  other  property.  During  the 
latter  part  of  the  storm  there  was  a  violent  tor- 
nado, which  swept  down  the  Schuylkill  river, 
and  did  great  damage  to  forty  vessels,  either 
loading,  or  waiting  to  load  with  coal.  Several 
houses  and  other  buildings  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  Schuylkill,  were  either  blown  down  or 
greatly  injured,  and  much  other  damage  done. 
One  man  was  instantly  killed,  and  several  per- 
sons greatly  injured.  But  the  disasters  in  this 
city  and  vicinity,  when  compared  with  those 
sustained  in  the  adjoining  county  of  Delaware, 
were  comparatively  small.  In  that  county 
about  thirty  persons  lost  their  lives,  and  public 
and  private  property  was  destroyed  to  the 


168  AUGUST 

amount  of  half  a  million  of  dollars,  consisting  of 
mills,  factories,  houses,  barns,  grain,  hay,  fur- 
niture, factory  goods,  stock,  &c. ;  fifty  bridges 
were  swept  away  by  the  flood,  and  immense 
other  damage  sustained.  A  storm,  attended 
with  such  disastrous  results,  was  scarcely  ever 
experienced  before  in  this  part  of  the  country. 
During  the  same  storm,  great  damage  was  sus- 
tained at  Norristown,  Upper  Merion,  &c.,  in 
factories,  mills,  bridges,  &c.  ;  also,  at  Wilming- 
ton, Brandy  wine,  Newark,  Elizabeth  town,  and 
in  various  other  places  immense  damage  was 
likewise  sustained.  There  were  also  great  and 
destructive  floods  during  the  month,  in  Mary- 
land, Virginia,  North  Carolina,  city  of  Wash- 
ington, and  in  the  states  of  New  York,  Con- 
necticut, &,c.  Nine  and  a  quarter  inches  of 
rain  fell  in  this  city  during  the  month. 

1844.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  73,  and  it  presented  a  series  of  most 
delightful  weather.     The  season  was  the  most 
prolific  for  vegetables  and  fruit  which  had  oc- 
curred for  several  years.     There  was  no  heavy 
storm  during  the  month  in  this  vicinity.     On 
seven  days  there  were  refreshing  showers;  and 
the  whole  quantity  of  rain  which  fell  during 
the  month   was  only  two  and  a  half  inches. 
There  were  seventeen  entirely  clear  days  dur- 
ing the  month. 

1845.  The    medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  74,  and  there  was  much  oppressive- 
ly hot  weather,  and  a  very  uncommon  number 
of  severe  thunder  showers,  with  very  terrific 
lightning.     More  or  less   rain  fell  on  fifteen 


AUGUST.  169 

days,  and  principally  in  showers,  making  in 
all  seven  and  a  quarter  inches.  Although  the 
mercury  rose  to  90  but  once,  yet  it  ranged  from 
84  to  89  on  fifteen  days,  in  the  shade. 

1846.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  75.  It  was  a  month  of  great  hu- 
midity. The  wind  was  either  east  or  north- 
east, the  whole  or  a  part  of  nineteen  days. 
There  was  either  a  drizzly  rain  or  showers,  on 
thirteen  days.  There  were  many  foggy  morn- 
ings; after  which  the  sun  shone  with  great 
power.  On  thirteen  days  the  wind  was  from 
the  west  or  south-west,  the  whole  or  a  part  of 
the  day.  On  four  days,  the  mercury  ranged 
from  90  to  92  in  the  open  air  in  the  shade, 
and  on  nine  days  it  was  from  84  to  88,  in  the 
shade.  There  were  twelve  clear  and  cloudless 
days.  The  rain  which  fell  was  principally  in 
small  showers,  making  in  all  four  and  a  quar- 
ter inches. 


15* 


RECORD    OF   THE    WEATHER 

IN    PHILADELPHIA, 

FOR  THE  MOIfTH  OF 

SEPTEMBER. 

1790.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  66,  and  there  was  much  warm  and 
very  pleasant  weather,  with  some  seasonable 
showers.      The   equinoctial    storm   passed   off 
very  lightly  in  this  latitude,  but  it  was  very 
severe  at  the  south.     About  three  inches  of  rain 
fell  during  the  month. 

1791.  The    medium     temperature    of    this 
month  was  64.     There  was  also  much  pleasant 
weather  during  the  month.     There  were  seve- 
ral  very  plentiful   showers,   and  considerable 
rain  fell  about  the  time  the  sun  crossed  the 
line,  but  the  wind  was  not  boisterous  in  this 
vicinity. 

1792.  The    medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  63.     It  commenced  cool  and  damp, 
with  the  wind  at  the  eastward,  but  it  changed 
to  west  on  the  5th,  and  afterwards  to  south- 
west,   and   ten   days   of   remarkably  pleasant 
weather  ensued.     Some  rain  fell  on  the  16th, 
and  it  cleared  much  cooler.     On  the  22d  the 
wind  changed  to  nort-east,  and  blew  very  fresh 


SEPTEMBER.  171 

for  a  night  and  a  day,  and  considerable  rain 
fell.  During  the  remainder  of  the  month,  the 
weather  was  very  variable. 

1793.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  70.     There  was  much  intensely  hot 
weather.      After   a   foggy,    damp   atmosphere 
through  the  night,  and  until  nine  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  (with  the  wind  south,)  the  sun  shone 
out  with  such  intense  heat,  as  to  cause  the  mer- 
cury in  Fahrenheit  to  run  up  to  90  and  above. 
From  the  1st  to  the  13th,  it  was  seven  times  at 
90,  and  on  some  days  a  little  above ;  and  on 
eleven  other  days  during  the  month,  it  was  from 
84  to  88.     The  nights,  in  general,  were  cool, 
foggy,  and  damp.     The  drought  was  very  dis- 
tressing ;  very  little  rain  had  fallen  since  July. 
Vegetation  was  parched  up.    There  was  neither 
grazing  or  water  for  cattle,  and  many  died  in 
various  parts  of  the  country  for  lack  of  food  and 
drink.     Lakes,  streams,  springs  and  wells,  that 
had  never  been  known  to  be  dry,  were  then 
without  water.      And  during  this  distressing 
season  of  heat  and  drought,  the  yellow  fever 
was  raging  in  this  city  to  a  frightful  degree. 
But  while  the  inhabitants  of  this  city  and  vi- 
cinity could  send  to  the  Delaware  and  Schuyl- 
kill  for  water,  in  many  parts  of  the  country  the 
inhabitants  were  compelled  to  haul  their  water 
from  ten  to  twenty  miles  in  casks.     The  drought 
continued  until  October.     The  earth  was  lite- 
rally like  powder  and  dust,  except  clay  land, 
which  baked  as  hard  as  a  pine  board. 

1794.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  62 ;  and  it  was  a  month  of  many 


172  SEPTEMBER. 

weathers  ;  from  quite  warm  to  cold  and  frosty, 
and  from  mild  and  pleasant,  and  then  stormy 
and  unpleasant.  The  wind  varied  from  north- 
west to  west,  and  south.  It  was  also  north- 
east and  south-east.  Some  rain  fell  on  seven 
days,  making  in  all  about  four  inches. 

1795.  The   medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  64 ;  it  commenced  with  a  cool,  dry, 
north-east  wind,  which  changed  to  south-east 
on  the  4th,  and  some  rain  fell  on  the  5th.     It 
cleared  with  a  westerly  wind,  and  two  weeks 
of  clear,  mild  weather  ensued.     On  the  20th 
the  wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  after  blow- 
ing fresh  for  three  days,  it  changed  to  south- 
east, and  it  rained  powerfully  all  one  night  and 
part  of  a  day.     From  the  26th  to  the  close  of 
the   month   it   was   mild   and  pleasant.      Six" 
inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1796.  The     medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  68,  and  it  was  a  month  of  splendid 
weather,  with  just  showers  enough  to  keep  the 
dust  laid,  and  thunder  and  lightning  enough  to 
keep  the  atmosphere  pure.     The  mercury  va- 
ried from  84  to  88  at  mid-day,  on  nineteen  days. 
The  remainder  of  the  month  was  cool.     Some 
rain  fell  on  six  days,  making  in  all  about  three 
inches. 

1797.  The    medium   temperature    of  this 
month  was  66  ;  during  which  there  was  much 
pleasant  weather,  as  well  as  much  that  was 
cloudy,  and  some  that  was  very  rainy.    And  to 
make  up  the  variety  of  the  month,  there  were 


SEPTEMBER.  173 

two  or  three  very  warm  days,  and  a  few  frosty 
nights.     Five  inches  of  rain  fell. 

1798.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  69  ;  and  during  a  part  of  the  month, 
the  weather  was  extremely  warm.     On  three 
days  the  mercury  was  at  90  at  two  o'clock,  and 
on  several  days  it  varied  from  80  to  88.     Very 
little  rain  fell  during  the  month,  not  more  than 
two  and  a  half  inches.     The  yellow  fever  pre- 
vailed for  a  short  time,  during  August  and  Sep- 
tember, but  not  to  the  extent  it  did  in  1793. 

1799.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month   was  66.     There   were  no  very  warm 
days  during  this  month,  but  many  that  were 
very  pleasant.     There  was  considerable  more 
damp  and  rainy  weather  than  usual,  for  Sep- 
tember.    More  or  less  rain  fell  on  nine  days, 
making  in  all  about  five  inches.     The  wind  was 
very  boisterous  at  north-east,  about  the  time 
the  sun  crossed  the  line. 

1800.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  68.     There  were  several  very  foggy 
mornings  and  hot  sunny  days.     Twelve  en- 
tirely clear  days  ;  nine  that  were  partly  clear 
and  partly  cloudy  ;  and  nine  in  which  more  or 
less  rain  fell,  making  in  all  about  three  and 
three  quarter  inches. 

1801.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  64.     It  commenced  and  continued 
mild  and  pleasant  until  the  llth,  when  some 
rain  fell,  and  the  weather  remained   unsettled 

4until  the   16th.     The  wind  then  southed,  and 
it  was  warm  and  pleasant  until  the  21st,  then 


174  SEPTEMBER. 

the  wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  it  was 
cloudy  and  damp  until  the  24th,  when  a  copi- 
ous rain  descended,  and  it  did  not  clear  until 
the  29th.  The  month  ended  very  pleasant,  but 
cool  and  frosty. 

1802.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  66.     It  commenced  cool,  with  the 
wind  at  north-west,  and  it  varied  from  this  point 
to  north  and  north-east  until  the  7th,   when 
some  rain  fell.     On  the  9th  the  wind  wested, 
and  a  week  of  quite  warm  and  pleasant  wea- 
ther ensued.    The  wind  then  changed  to  south- 
east and  some  rain  fell ;  it  then  southed ,  and 
five  warm  days  ensued.     On  the  23d  the  wind 
changed  to  east  and  blew  very  fresh  for  two  or 
three  days,  during  which  rain  fell  several  times, 
after  which  it  cleared  cool,  and  so  continued 
until  the  month  closed. 

1803.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  65,  during  which  there  was  much 
pleasant  weather.     Some  rain  fell  on  six  days, 
making  in  all  about  three  inches.     Very  little 
of  the  equinoctial  storm  (so  called)  was  felt  in 
this  latitude  ;  but  there  was  a  great  blow  in  the 
gulf  stream,  &c. 

1804.  The    medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  70,  during  which  there  were  some 
intensely  warm  days.     The  mercury  rose  to 
90  on  three  days.     On  the  1st  it  was  92;  on 
the  2d  88  ;  on  the  3d  86  ;  and  on  the  4th  90  ; 
after  which  the  wind    changed  to  north-east, 
and  it  became  quite  cool  for  two  days.     On  the 
6th  and  8th  there  were  a  few  sprinkles  of  rain, 


SEPTEMBER.  175 

and  the  wind  afterwards  changed  to  south-west, 
and  the  weather  was  oppressively  hot  and  dry 
until  the  23d,  when  the  wind  changed  to  north- 
east, and  a  damp,  cloudy,  drizzly  spell  ensued, 
and  the  weather  remained  in  an  unsettled  state 
until  the  month  closed.  On  the  4th,  5th  and 
6th  there  was  a  terrible  hurricane  in  the  West 
Indies,  in  which  274  vessels  and  a  great  many 
sailors  were  lost. 

1805.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  66,  during  which  there  was  no  re- 
markably warm  weather,  but  much  that  was 
pleasant.     The  equinoctial  storm  was  severe  on 
the  American   coast,  and  considerable  injury 
was  sustained  by  vessels.     Some  rain  fell  on 
seven  days,  making  in  all  about  four  inches. 

1806.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  64,  and  there  were  some  cool  morn- 
ings and  evenings,  with  some  foggy  and  hot 
sunny  days ;  also,  some  rainy  days,  particular- 
ly during  the  last  two  weeks,  making  in  all 
about  five  and  a  quarter  inches. 

1807.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  66.     The  first  two  weeks  were  very 
pleasant,  with  the  wind  varying  from  south  to 
west.     But  the  last  two  weeks  were  very  va- 
riable, both  as  to  wind  and  weather.     Some 
rain  fell  on  seven  days,  making  in  all  about 
three  and  three  quarter  inches. 

1808.  The    medium    temperature   of   this 
month   was   67.     It   commenced   with    foggy 
mornings  and  warm  sunny  days,  but  not  in- 
tensely hot.     The  weather  was  very  uniform 


176  SEPTEMBER. 

in  temperature  a  great  part  of  the  month. 
There  were  several  very  seasonable  showers, 
and  about  the  time  the  sun  crossed  the  line  the 
wind  blew  very  fresh  at  north-east,  and  con- 
siderable rain  fell,  making  in  all  that  fell  dur- 
ing the  month  about  five  and  a  half  inches. 

1809.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  68,  and  much  very  warm  and  dry 
weather  prevailed  until  after  the  22d,  when  the 
wind  changed  to  north-east  and  blew  very  hard 
for  two  days  and  one  night,  during  which  some 
rain  fell.     The  whole  which  fell   during  the 
month  was  about  two  and  three  quarter  inches. 
During  the  first  week  the  mercury  rose  to  90 
on  three  days.     On  eleven  other  days  it  varied 
from  84  to  88  during  the  first  three  weeks. 

1810.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  66,  during  which  the  weather  was 
very  variable.     The  wind  frequently  changing 
from  north  to  east,  and  from  east  to  west  and 
south,  and  the  temperature  of  the  atmosphere 
of  course  changed  with  the  wind.     There  was 
much  damp,  drizzly  weather,  as  well  as  some 
that  was  very  warm  and  pleasant.     About  three 
and  a  half  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 
On  the  7th  there  was  a  very  destructive  hurri- 
cane in  South  Carolina  and  Georgia  and  many 
lives  lost. 

1811.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  6^,  and  the  weather  was  remarka- 
bly uniform  and   pleasant  a  great  part  of  the 
month.     There  were  two  days  that  the  mer- 
cury ran  up  to  90,  and  thirteen  days  in  which 


SEPTEMBER.  177 

it  varied  from  83  to  88.  There  were  two  thun- 
der gusts  during  the  first  two  weeks.  From 
the  21st  to  the  close  of  the  month  easterly  winds 
and  damp,  drizzly  weather  prevailed  a  great 
part  of  the  time.  On  the  8th  there  was  a  terri- 
ble tornado  at  Charleston,  S.  C.,  and  many  lives 
lost  and  great  destruction  of  property. 

1812.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was    67.      It    commenced    foggy    and 
warm,  with  the  wind  south,  but  on  the  5th  it 
changed  to  east  and  some  rain  fell,  after  which 
it  changed  to  west,  and  a  week  of  warm,  plea- 
sant weather  ensued.     The  wind  then  changed 
to   north-east   for  three   days,  after    which    it 
southed,  and  it  was  warm  and  pleasant  until  the 
24th,  when  a  north-east  rain  storm  set  in ;  af- 
ter the  storm  it  cleared  very  cool  with  a  north- 
west wind. 

1813.  The   medium    temperature    of  this 
month  was  66,  and  there  was  much   pleasant 
weather  the  first  two  weeks,  with  several  small 
showers.     From  the  14th  to  the  18th  a  damp, 
easterly  wind  prevailed,  after  which  the  wind 
changed  to  west,  and  five  very  pleasant  days 
ensued.     It   then   changed  to  north-east   and 
it  rained  for  a  day  and  night,  after  which  it 
cleared  cool  and  frosty.     Nearly  four  inches  of 
rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1814.  The  medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  64,  and  the  weather  was  very  va- 
riable.    After  the  first  week  the  mornings  and 
evenings  were  quite  cool,  and  northerly  winds 
prevailed  until  the  13th,  when  the  wind  chan- 

16 


178  SEPTEMBER. 

ged  to  south-west,  and  it  was  warm  and  plea- 
sant until  the  20th.  The  wind  then  changed 
to  north-east,  and  damp,  rainy  weather  ensued 
until  the  25th,  when  the  wind  wested,  and  the 
month  closed  warm  and  pleasant.  About  three 
and  a  quarter  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the 
month. 

1815.  The    medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  67;  and  during  the  first  three  weeks 
there  was  much  warm  and  remarkably  pleasant 
weather.     There  were  two  thunder  gusts  and 
two  other   showers.     The   wind    varied   from 
west  to  south,  during  the  three  weeks  men- 
tioned above.     On  the  22d  the  wind  changed 
to  north-east,  and  the  equinoctial  storm  was 
severe  from  south  to  north.     About  five  inches 
of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1816.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  62,  and  it  produced  more  than  two 
weeks  of  the  mildest  and  pleasantest  weather 
there  had  been  during  the  whole  season,  for 
such  a  length  of  time;  but  on  the  17th,  after 
some  rain  fell,  the  wind  changed  to  north-west, 
and  a  chilly,  frosty  atmosphere  ensued;  and 
the  23d  brought  a  cold  north-east  wind  and  a 
violent  equinoctial  rain  storm,  which  continued 
for  two  days.     After  which  it  cleared  with  a 
brisk  north-west  wind,  and  for  several  succeed- 
ing nights  water  froze  a  quarter  of  an    inch 
thick  in  -shallow  ponds.     About  five  inches  of 
rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1817.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  64;  and  the  first  three  weeks  pro- 


SEPTEMBER.  179 

duced  much  mild  and  pleasant  weather,  with 
some  seasonable  showers,  with  the  wind  vary- 
ing from  north  to  south.  About  the  time  the 
sun  crossed  the  line,  the  wind  changed  to  north- 
east, and  it  blew  very  hard  for  a  day  and  night, 
and  some  rain  fell.  It  afterwards  cleared  cool 
and  frosty.  About  three  inches  of  rain  fell  dur- 
ing the  month. 

1818.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  66.     It  commenced  and  continued 
very  warm  until  the  7th,  during  which  the 
mercury  rose  to  90  on  three  successive  days, 
and  from  86  to  88  on  four  other  days.     On  the 
night  of  the  7th,  the  wind  changed  to  north- 
east, and  the  mercury  sunk  twenty  degrees  in 
twelve  hours.     It  continued  cool,  overcast,  and 
drizzly  until  the  llth,  when  the  wind  wested, 
and  eight  days  of  warm  and  very  pleasant  wea- 
ther ensued,  when  the  wind  again  changed  to 
north-east,  and  a  cool,  damp  spell  followed,  with 
occasional  rain,  until  the  25th,  when  it  cleared 
rather  cool,  and  so  continued  until  the  month 
closed.     About  three  and  a  half  inches  of  rain 
fell  during  the  month. 

1819.  The    medium    temperature    of  this 
month  was  64 ;  it  commenced  warm  and  very 
dry;    very   little   rain   having   fallen  for  four 
weeks,   and  none  fell  until  the   17th   of  this 
month,  when,  to  the  joy  of  thousands,  it  rained 
moderately  for  nearly  two  days  ;  and  afterwards 
cleared  and  continued  mild  and  pleasant  until 
the  25th,  when  the  wind  changed  to  east,  and 
more  rain  fell,  making  in  all  which  fell  during 
the  month,  about  three  inches. 


180  SEPTEMBER. 

1820.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  64,  and  it  commenced  with  a  damp 
easterly  wind,  and  drizzly  rain ;  but  on  the  4th 
the  wind  wested,  and  a  week  of  warm  and  plea- 
sant weather  ensued,    when   the   wind   again 
changed  to  east,  and  more  rain  fell ;  and  then 
another  week  of  pleasant  weather  ensued.    Dur- 
ing the  remainder  of  the  month,  the  weather 
was  very  variable,  from  cool  to  warm,  and  from 
damp  to  rainy.     About  four  and  a  half  inches 
of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1821.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  65,  and  it  produced  her  full  quota 
of  very  fine  weather,  and  some  very  seasonable 
showers.     On  the  20th  the  wind  changed  to 
north-east,  and  a  week  of  cool,  damp  and  rainy 
weather  followed,  after  which  the  wind  wested, 
and  the  month  closed  very  pleasant.     Nearly 
four  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1822.  The   medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  68,  and  it  commenced  and  continued 
very  warm  and  dry  until  the  18th.     During 
two  thunder  gusts,  a  little  rain  fell.     On  the 
19th  the  wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  it 
was  cool,   damp   and   drizzly  until    the  24th, 
when  the  wind  changed  to  south-west,  and  it 
was  quite  warm  until  the  month  closed.     Dur- 
ing the  month  the  mercury  ran  up  to  90  four 
times,  and  on  seven  days  it  varied  from  84  to 
89.     About  three  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the 
month. 

1823.  The     medium    temperature    of  this 
month  was  65 ;  and  the  weather  was  very  fine 


SEPTEMBER.  181 

until  the  9th,  when  the  wind  changed  to  east, 
and  it  was  damp,  drizzly,  and  cool,  "until  the 
14th,  when  the  wind  wested,  and  a  week  of 
warm  and  pleasant  weather  ensued.  On  the 
22d  the  wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  it 
rained  and  blew  very  hard  for  part  of  two  days. 
The  weather  continued  unsettled  until  the  28th, 
when  it  cleared  cool,  and  so  continued  until  the 
month  closed.  About  four  and  a  quarter  inches 
of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1824.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  66.     It  commenced  and  continued 
with  foggy  mornings  and  warm  days  until  the 
6th,  when  the  wind  changed  to  north-west,  and 
it  was  cool  until  the  10th,  then  the  wind  chan- 
ged to  south-west,  and  it  was  quite  warm  until 
the   20th,    with   two   seasonable    and   copious 
showers,  on  the  14th  and  17th.     On  the  20th 
the  wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  it  continued 
cool  and  damp  until  the  24th,  when  the  wind 
changed  to  south-east,  and  it  rained  all  night 
and  part  of  the  subsequent  day,  after  which  it 
cleared  cool  with  the  wind  north-west.     About 
five  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1825.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  64 ;  the  1st  and  2d  were  warm.    On 
the  3d  some  rain  fell,  after  which  the  weather 
was  clear,  dry  and  warm,  until  the  16th,  when 
some  rain  fell.     It  was  again  clear,  (but  not 
very  warm,)  until   the   23d,   when  the  wind 
changed  to  north-east,  and  some  rain  fell,  and 
it  continued  cloudy  and  damp  until  the  26th; 
then  a  little  more  rain  fell,  making"  in  all  that 
fell  during  the  month,  two  and  a  half  inches. 


182  SEP  T  E  M  B  E  R. 

On  the  27th  it  cleared  cool,  and  so  continued 
until  the  month  closed. 

1826.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  G5 ;  it  commenced  damp  and  driz- 
zly.   On  the  4th  it  rained  part  of  the  day,  after 
which  the  wind  wested,  and  it  was  warm  and 
dry  until  the  18th,  when  the  wind  changed  to 
north-east,  and  it  was  damp  and    drizzly  for 
two  days,  and  continued  cloudy  until  the  24th, 
when  a  little  more  rain  fell,  after  which  it  clear- 
ed, and  so  continued  until  the  month  closed. 
Only  two  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  whole 
month. 

1827.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  64;  and  it  was  a  very  dry  month, 
but  not  very  warm.     Northerly  winds  prevail- 
ed very  much ;  but  it  occasionally  changed  to 
west,  south-west,  and  south,  but  did  not  con- 
tinue long  at  either  of  those  points  at  any  one 
time.     The  only  rain  that  fell  during  the  month 
was  a  very  little  on  the  18th  and  22d,  making 
in  all  only  one  inch. 

1828.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  65.     It  commenced  overcast,  damp 
and  drizzly,  and  some  rain  fell  on  the  1st,  2d, 
and  4th  ;  no  more  fell  until  the  28th,  making  in 
all  that  fell  during  the  month,  four  and  a  half 
inches.     From  the  9th  to  the  25th,  there  was 
much  warm,   sultry  weather.     The    mercury 
rose  to  90  three  days ;  and  on  eleven  days  it 
was  from  84  to  88.     The  residue  of  the  month 
ranged  from  76  to  82  at  mid-day.     There  were, 
however,  a  few  cool  nights. 


SEPTEMBER.  183 

1829.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  66  ;  and  it  was  quite  warm  until 
the  7th,  when  there  was  a  thunder  gust  and 
some  rain  fell.     A  little  more  rain  fell  on  the 
llth,  16th,  and  29th,  making  in  all  two  inches. 
There  was  much  warm,  dry,  sultry  weather 
during  the  month,  and  the  appearance  of  show- 
ers frequently  passed  both  at  the  north  and 
south  of  the   city,   and   distant  thunder  was 
heard. 

1830.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  65,  and  there  was  a  great  uniformi- 
ty of  temperature  during  the  first  three  weeks, 
notwithstanding    the   wind    changed    several 
times,  and  rain  fell  on  the  4th  and  9th.     The 
mercury  varied  from  day  to  day  from  82  to 
88.     On  the  22d  the  wind  changed  to  north- 
east, and  it  was   much   cooler;    it   continued 
cloudy  and  overcast  until  the  26th,  when  it 
rained   moderately  a  great   part  of  the   day. 
During  the  month  three  inches  of  rain  fell. 

1831.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  68,  and  it  was  quite  warm  until  the 
5th,  when  a  thunder  shower  cooled  the  air  for 
a  day  or  two,  but  it  soon  became  warm  again, 
and  so  continued  until  the  16th;  the  mercury 
thus  far  varying  from  day  to  day  from  82  to 
86.     The  wind  now  changed  to  east,  and  some 
rain  fell  on  the  16th  and   17th,  after  which  it 
wested  and  pleasant  days  ensued  until  the  22d, 
when  the  wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  a 
cold,  drizzly,  rainy  week  closed  the   month; 
some   rain  fell   on   the   23d,    24th,    26th  and 


184  SEPTEMBER. 

27th.     The   quantity   which   fell   daring   the 
month  was  five  inches. 

1832.  The    medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  66,  and  it  was  a  uniformly  warm 
and  dry  month  for  September.     Rain  fell  only 
on  the  4th  and  12th,  making  in  all  one  inch 
and  a  half.     The  mercury  ran  up  to  90  twice. 
Except  on  those  two  days  it  varied  but  little 
until  past  the  20th,  when  the  wind  changed  to 
north-east  and  it  was  cooler. 

1833.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  67.     It  commenced  and  continued 
clear  and  warm  until  the  8th,  when  the  wind 
changed  to  east,  and  some  rain  fell  on  the  8th, 
10th  and  12th,  when  the  wind  wested,  and  it 
was  warm  and  pleasant  until  the  18th,  when 
another  change  took  place,  and  some  rain  fell 
on  the  18th,  19th  and  2Jst,  making  in  all  that 
fell  during  the  month  four  inches.     The  mer- 
cury ran  up  to  90  on  three  days.     The  last 
eight  days  in  the  month  were  pleasant,  but  not 
very  warm. 

1834.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  65,  and  it  commenced  with  a  great 
drought;    only   half  an   inch  of  rain   having 
fallen  for  more  than  four  weeks,  and  the  wea- 
ther was  very  warm.     But  during  this  month 
there  were  several  small  rains,  measuring  alto- 
gether three  and  a  half  inches.     There  was 
much  thunder  and  lightning  during  this  month. 

1835.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  66,  and  it  produced  its  full  quan- 
tum of  very  pleasant  weather.     Two  thunder 


SEPTEMBER.  185 

showers,  and  part  of  a  day  and  night  there 
was  steady  rain,  which  was  much  needed, 
making  in  all  that  fell  during  the  month  two 
and  a  half  inches. 

1836.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  67.    The  weather  during  this  month 
was  very  variable.     On  five  days  the  mercury 
ranged  from  84  to  89  ;  on  twelve  days  it  was 
80  at  mid-day ;  on  seven  days  it  was  from  70 
to  78 ;  on  nine  days  it  ranged  from  63  to  66 ; 
on  one  day  it  was  58,  and  one  day  only  53  at 
mid-day,  and  40  at  sunrise.     A  little  rain  fell 
on  five  days,  making  in  all  two  inches.     The 
wind  was  very  variable. 

1837.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  64.     The  month  was  cool,  but  it 
produced  twenty  fair  and  pleasant  days.     The 
mercury  rose  twice  to  84  and  once  to  80.     On 
thirteen  days  it  could  not  get  up  to  70.     The 
remaining  days  in  the  month  varied  from  70  to 
76  at  mid-day.     Some  rain  fell  on  eight  days, 
making  in  all  two  arid  a  half  inches. 

1838.  The  medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  67.    It  commenced  warm,  with  the 
mercury  at  83,  but  in  the  evening  of  the  1st  a 
re-action  took  place,  and  by  sunrise  on  the  2d, 
the  mercury  had  sunk  to  57.     At  sunrise  on 
the  3d  it  was  only  48 ;  but  on  the  5th  it  rallied, 
and  the  mercury  ran  up  to  88  at  mid-day,  and 
it  continued  warm  and  pleasant  until  the  12th, 
when  the  wind  changed  from  south  to  north- 
east, and  the  mercury  sunk  to  60,  and  it  rained 
powerfully   for    twelve   hours   to   the    joy   of 


186  SEPTEMBER. 

thousands,  as  it  was  very  dry  and  rain  was 
much  needed.  After  this,  the  weather  (with 
the  exception  of  a  few  days)  continued  cool  un- 
til the  month  closed.  The  quantity  of  rain  that 
fell  during  the  month  was  nine  inches. 

1839.  The    medium   temperature    of   this 
month  was  64,  and  it  was  a  month  of  very  uni- 
form and  delightfully  pleasant  weather,  there 
having  been  only  four  days  during  the  whole 
month  which  could  be  denominated  unpleasant. 
The  quantity  of  rain  which  fell  during  the 
month  was  only  three  inches.     The  past  sea- 
son was  one  of  the  most  fruitful  and  pleasant, 
(in  this  latitude)  which  has  occurred  for  many 
years.     There  was  a  brilliant  display  of  north- 
ern lights  during  the  night  of  the  3cl. 

1840.  The    medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  60 ;  it  was  rather  cool,  but  a  very 
pleasant  month.     There  were  twenty  fine  clear 
days ;  eight  in  which  a  little  rain  fell,  making 
in  all  two  and  a  half  inches ;  and  two  days  that 
were  cloudy.     The  whole  season  was  delight 
ful,  producing  a  healthful  and  temperate  atmos- 
phere, and  very  fruitful  in  every  thing.     But, 

"  Touch'd  by  the  breath  of  early  frost, 

The  foliage  falls  away; 
The  loftiest  and  the  fairest  leaves 

Are  destin'd  to  decay ! 
But  like  the  blush  on  beauty's  cheek, 

Spread  by  consumption's  breath, 
The  foliage,  in  its  autumn  tints, 

Is  loveliest  in  DEATH  !" 

1841.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  67.     It  is  very  uncommon  to  have 


SEPTEMBER.  187 

so  much  mild,  easterly  weather  in  September 
as  this  month  produced.  Twenty  days  in  suc- 
cession the  wind  was  from  the  eastward,  either 
the  whole  or  a  great  part  of  the  day,  but  on  no 
day  was  it  boisterous.  The  equinoctial  storm 
spent  itself  before  reaching  the  port  of  Phila- 
delphia. A  very  little  rain,  however,  fell  on 
eight  days,  making  in  all  two  inches.  The 
first  six  days  of  the  month  were  nearly  as  warm 
as  mid-summer,  the  mercury  ranging  from  80 
to  87.  There  was  a  thunder  shower,  with  very 
vivid  lightning  on  the  2d.  The  whole  month 
was  mild,  pleasant  and  healthful  in  this  lati- 
tude ;  but  it  was  far  otherwise  in  South  Caro- 
lina, Georgia,  Alabama,  New  Orleans,  &c., 
where  they  were  deluged  with  repeated  rain 
storms,  which  nearly  destroyed  the  rice  crops, 
&c.,  and  the  yellow  fever  prevailed  to  an  awful 
degree  in  New  Orleans.  A  paper  from  that 
city  of  the  17th  of  this  month  says,  "  the  inter- 
ments yesterday  were  52,  principally  by  the 
yellow  fever,  and  there  is  no  diminution  of  the 
disease  whatever.  The  mortality  is  awfully 
frightful." 

1842.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  64,  and  there  were  the  extremes  of 
autumnal  heat  and  cold.  From  the  1st  to  the 
14th  the  mercury  varied  from  76  to  88.  On 
the  14th  the  wind  changed  from  south  to  north- 
east, and  the  17th  to  north-west,  and  the  cold 
increased  daily  until  the  23d,  when  the  mer- 
cury at  sunrise  had  sunk  to  36  in  this  city,  and 
in  the  country  to  32,  and  ice  was  an  eighth  of 
an  inch  thick  in  many  places.  On  the  28th  it 


188  SEPTEMBER. 

moderated  and  the  mercury  ran  up  to  76  at 
mid-day,  on  the  last  three  days  in  the  month. 
A  very  little  rain  fell  on  ten  days,  making  in  ail 
only  one  inch  and  a  quarter.  The  wind  was 
north-west  either  the  whole  or  a  part  of  fifteen 
days. 

1843.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  68.     It  commenced  and  continued 
very  warm  until  the  7th.     On  the  3d  and  4th 
the  mercury  ran  up  to  90  at  mid-day.    On  nine 
days  during  the  month  it  was  from  80  to  87. 
On  eight  days  from  70  to  78 ;  but  there  were 
two  days  in  which  it  did  not  rise  above  58  ;  one 
day  it  was  60,  and  three  days  66  during  mid- 
day.    On  the  evening  of  the  25th  there  was  a 
thunder  gust,  and  much  thunder  and  lightning. 
Some  rain  fell  on  eight  days,  making  in  all 
four  and  three  quarter  inches. 

1844.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  66,  and  it  was  uniformly  warm  from 
the  1st  to  the  22d.     On  thirteen  of  those  days 
the  mercury  was  from  80  to  88.     On  the  22d 
•the  wind  changed  from  south  to  north,  and  it 

varied  from  north  to  north-east  until  the  month 
closed,  and  the  mercury  varied  from  44  to  72. 
There  were  twenty  entirely  clear  days  during 
the  month.  There  was  a  heavy  thunder  gust 
in  the  evening  of  the  2d,  and  some  rain  fell  on 
six  days,  the  whole  making  four  inches.  On 
the  29th  and  30th  some  snow  fell  in  the  inte- 
rior of  Pennsylvania  and  New  York,  and  in 
the  New  England  states.  Late  accounts  from 
Africa,  state  that  the  weather  had  been  so  in- 
tensely hot  and  dry,  that  many  persons  had 


SEPTEMBER.  189 

perished.  Also,  the  last  accounts  from  St.  He- 
lena states,  that  no  rain  had  fallen  there  for  fif- 
teen months,  and  that  great  distress  prevailed. 

1845.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  65.     It  commenced  warm,  the  first 
four  days  varying  from  80  to  83.     On  the  5th 
the  wind  changed  from  south  to   north-west, 
and  the  weather  was  uniformly  mild  until  the 
21st,  when  the  wind  changed  to  north,  and  the 
mercury  sunk  from  three  o'clock  on  the  21st  to 
the  next  morning  to  56,  and  it  continued  cool 
until  the  28th,  when  the  mercury  rose  to  70, 
and  on  the  29th  and  30th  to  74.     There  was  a 
thunder  gust  on  the  2d,  and  another  on  the 
21st.     A  little  rain  fell  on  nine  days,  making 
in  all  two  and  a  quarter  inches.     There  were 
eighteen  entirely  clear  days." 

1846.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  69  f,  and  it  was  more  remarkable 
for   heat   and    drought   than   any    September 
month  we  can  find  on  our  record  since  1804. 
The  medium  temperature  of  that  month  was 
70,  and  this  was  69 1;  and  there  was  only  one 
quarter  of  an  inch  of  rain  fell  during  the  whole 
month,  and  about  the  same  quantity  fell  in  Sep- 
tember, 1804.     In  September,  1846,  the  mer- 
cury rose  to  90  on  two  days;  to  88  on  four 
days ;  to  87  one  day ;  to  86  on  four  days ;  and 
on  six  days  it  varied  from  74  to  80.     Twice 
during  the  month  the  wind  suddenly  changed 
from  south-west  to  north-east,  and  the  mercury 
sunk  twenty  degrees  in  a  few  hours.     The  last 
account  from  the  state  of  Maine  said,  there  had 
scarcely  been  rain  enough  there  to  lay  the  dust 

17 


190  SEPTEMBER. 

for  eight  weeks,  and  the  weather  had  been  very 
warm  a  great  part  of  the  time.  After  the  vio- 
lent north-east  gale  of  the  8th  and  9th  of  this 
month,  accounts  were  received  from  the  south 
and  the  east  of  many  shipwrecks  on  the  coast. 
Also,  of  vessels  dismasted  and  otherwise  crip- 
pled, &c.  The  Great  Western  steamship,  on 
her  passage  from  Liverpool  to  New  York,  came 
very  near  being  lost. 


RECORD    OF    THE    WEATHER 

IN    PHILADELPHIA, 

FOR  THE  MONTH  <M? 

OCTOBER. 

1790.  The   medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  50,  and  the  weather  was  very  va- 
riable.   Sometimes  mild  and  pleasant,  and  anon 
cloudy,  chilly,  damp  and  rainy,  and  then  clear 
with  a  cold,  north-west  wind  and  frosty  nights. 
After  several  cool  days  the  wind  wested,  and 
several  mild  and  pleasant  days  ensued.     The 
wind  then  changed  to  east  again  and  more  rain 
fell,  and  thus  the  weather  alternated  until  the 
month  closed.     About  four  inches  of  rain  fell 
during  the  month. 

1791.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  52,  and  it  produced  much  pleasant 
weather  and  some  very  frosty  nights,  as  well  as 
a  few  rainy  days.     A  few  flakes  of  snow  indi- 
cated  that   winter    was   approaching.     About 
three  and  a  half  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the 
month. 

1792.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  50.     It  commenced  and  continued 
mild  until  the  7th,  when  some  rain  fell  and  the 
wind  changed  to  north-west,  and  the  mercury 


192  OCTOBER. 

sunk  to  36,  and  some  frosty  nights  ensued.  On 
the  15th  the  wind  changed  to  west,  arid  on  the 
16th  to  south-west,  and  it  was  mild  and  plea- 
sant until  the  22d,  when  the  wind  changed  to 
north-east,  and  the  remainder  of  the  month  was 
cold  and  some  rain  fell.  About  two  and  three 
quarter  inches  fell  during  the  month. 

1793.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  64.     During  the  first  three  weeks 
it  was  excessively  warm  and  dry  for  October, 
and  many  died  with  fever.     On  five  days  the 
mercury  ran  up  to  86,  and  on  ten  days  from  76 
to  78  at  mid-day.    It  afterwards  grew  gradually 
cooler,  and  during  the  fourth  week,  water,  in 
exposed  situations,  froze  from  an  eighth  to  a 
quarter  of  an  inch  thick.     About  two  inches  of 
rain  fell  during  the  month.     The  wind  was 
very  variable.     During  the  months  of  August, 
September -and  October,  the  newspapers  said, 
that  between  3  and  4000  persons  died  of  the 
yellow  fever,  viz.  in  August  500,   September 
1400,  and  October  1400  and  10  physicians. 

1794.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  50,  and  there  were  many  mild  and 
pleasant  days,  and  about  as  many  chilly,  cloudy, 
unpleasant  ones,  and  more  or  less  rain  fell  on 
nine  days,  making  in  all  four  and  a  half  inches. 
At  sunrise  on  one  morning  the  mercury  sunk 
to  28,  and  on  three  mornings  to  32. 

1795.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  52;  it  commenced  and  continued 
mild  and  pleasant  until  the  llth,   when  the 
wind  changed  to  east,  and  it  was  damp  arid 


OCTOBER.  193 

drizzly  until  the  14th,  when  the  wind  changed 
to  north-west,  and  the  days  were  cool  and 
nights  frosty  until  the  20th.  The  wind  then 
wested,  and  the  weather  was  mild  until  the 
26th,  when  it  changed  to  north-east,  and  it  was 
chilly  and  damp  until  the  month  closed.  About 
three  and  a  half  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the 
month. 

1796.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  50:  during  the  month  there  were 

*  O 

many  fair  and  pleasant  days,  but  very  cool  and 
frosty  nights.  There  was  thin  ice  on  eleven 
mornings,  and  some  rain  fell  on  five  days,  mak- 
ing in  all  about  four  inches. 

1797.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  55 ;  and  in  the  first  two  weeks  there 
was  much  mild  and  very  pleasant  weather,  but 
the  last  two  were  variable,  being  damp,  chilly 
and   rainy.     Sometimes   a   cool   north-wester, 
with  frosty  nights;  and  sometimes  mild  and 
pleasant.     About  three  inches  of  rain  fell  dur- 
ing the  month. 

1798.  The    medium    temperature    of   this 
month  was  55,  and  during  the  month  there 
were  several  quite  warm  and  pleasant  days, 
with  the  mercury  70  at  mid-day;  and  ten  days 
it  varied  from  66  to  68.     On  several  days  the 
wind  was  from  north  to  east,  and  more  or  less 
rain  fell  on  nine  days,  making  in  all  about  six 
inches. 

1799.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  54 ;  and  the  weather  was  alternate- 
ly mild  and  pleasant,  and  then  much  cooler ; 

17* 


194  OCTOBER. 

and  anon,  overcast,  damp  and  rainy.  The  wind 
also  was  very  variable.  More  or  less  rain  fell 
on  ten  days,  making  in  all  about  six  and  a  half 
inches. 

1SOO.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  52.  The  first  five  days  were  warm 
and  pleasant;  after  which  the  wind  changed  to 
north-east,  and  considerable  rain  fell.  It  then 
cleared  to  cool,  with  the  wind  north-west,  and 
some  frosty  nights  followed.  The  wind  then 
changed  to  south-west,  and  five  mild  and  plea- 
sant days  ensued.  From  the  20th  to  the  end 
of  the  month  the  wind  varied  from  north  to 
south-east,  and  it  rained  copiously  on  several 
days,  making  in  all  that  fell  during  the  month, 
about  seven  inches. 

1801.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was   53 ;  and  the  first  week  was  very 
warm.     On  the  1st  the  mercury  was  70.     On 
the  2d,  67.     On  the  3d,  75,  and  on  the  4th,  68, 
at  mid-day,  in  the  shade.     On  the  6th  the  wTind 
changed  to  north-east,  and  it  was  cool,  damp 
and   drizzly   until   the  10th,    when   the  wind 
changed  to  north-west,  and  it  was  clear  and 
cool,  with  frosty  nights,  until  the  17th,  when 
the  wind  changed  to  south-west,  and  a  week  of 
very  pleasant  weather  ensued.     The  wind  then 
changed  to  north-east,  and  it  was  cool,  damp, 
and  sometimes  rainy,  until  the  month  closed. 
About  three   inches   of  rain   fell   during   the 
month. 

1802.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  54 ;  and  the  first  four  days  were 


OCTOBER.  195 

very  warm ;  the  mercury  ranging  from  68  to 
74,  at  mid-day.  On  the  5th  the  wind  changed 
to  north-wesj,  and  it  was  clear  and  cool  until 
the  12th,  when  it  changed  to  north-east,  and 
some  rain  fell,  after  which  the  wind  changed  to 
west,  and  it  was  pleasant  the  remainder  of  the 
month.  Some  rain  fell  on  six  days,  making  in 
all  about  four  and  a  half  inches. 

1803.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  56,  and  a  great  proportion  of  the 
month  was  very  mild  and  pleasant.     The  mer- 
cury rose  to  70  twice  at  mid-day ;  and  it  sunk 
to  the  freezing  point  three  times  between  day- 
break and  sunrise.     The  wind  was  from  north- 
east to  east  seven  days,  and  some  rain  fell  on 
four  days,  making  in  all  about  three  and  three 
quarter  inches. 

1804.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  55,  and  it  produced  many  mild  and 
pleasant  days,    and    some   that   were   cloudy, 
damp  and  cool ;  and  on  ten  days,  more  or  less 
rain  fell,  making  in  all  about  six  and  a  half 
inches.     During  the  month,  the  wind  changed 
to  almost  every  point  of  the  compass.     On  the 
9th  Oct.  there  was  an  awful  and  destructive 
storm  at  Boston,  &c.,  in  which  the  Hallowell 
Packet  was  lost  on  Cape  Porpoise,  and  twenty 
passengers   perished,   among  whom   was   Dr. 
Appleton,  wife  and  child,  and  eleven  ladies  be- 
longing to  Boston.     A  number  of  other  vessels 
were  lost  during  the  same  storm. 

1805.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  52;  and  the  first  two  days  were 


196  OCTOBER. 

cool,  with  the  wind  at  north-west;  but  in  the 
evening  of  the  2d,  it  changed  to  south-west ;  on 
the  3d  and  4th  the  mercury  ran  up  to  72  and 
74  in  the  shade,  at  mid-day.  On  the  5th  the 
wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  a  cold,  damp 
atmosphere  ensued  for  several  days,  when  the 
wind  changed  east,  and  it  rained  part  of  a  day 
and  night.  On  the  llth  it  cleared  cool,  with 
the  wind  north-west,  and  the  nights  were  very 
frosty  until  the  17th,  when  the  wind  changed 
to  south-west,  and  five  days  of  mild,  pleasant 
weather  ensued.  On  the  22d  it  changed  to 
north-east,  and  the  remainder  of  the  month  was 
damp,  chilly  and  rainy  part  of  the  time.  About 
five  and  a  half  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the 
month. 

1806.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  55,  and  there  was  many  very  mild 
and  pleasant  days  ;  but,  as  usual  in  this  month, 
there  were  some   cool  days  and  frosty  nights, 
and  some  easterly  damp  weather.     The  wind 
varied  from  west  to  east  several  times,  and  some 
rain  fell  on  six  days,  making  in  all  about  four 
inches. 

1807.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  56,  and  it  was  indeed  a  month  of 
splendid  weather.     On  four  days  the  mercury 
rose  to  70  and  above;  and  ten  days  it  ranged 
from  63  to  68  at  mid-day.     The  wind  was  west 
and  south-west  fifteen  days,  and  north-west  five 
days.     Some  rain  fell  on  five  days,  making  in 
all  about  three  inches. 

1808.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 


OCTOBER.  197 

month  was  53.  Although  there  were  several 
mild  and  pleasant  days  during  this  month,  there 
were  more  cool  days  and  frosty  nights  than 
usual.  North-east  winds  prevailed  more  than 
two  weeks,  and  some  rain  fell  on  eight  days, 
making  in  all  nearly  five  inches. 

1809.  The    medium   temperature    of   this 
month  was  54,  and  it  produced  some  very  rainy, 
and  some  very  pleasant  days.    The  wind  varied 
during  the  month  from  south-west  to  east,  and 
rain  fell  on  seven  days,  making  in  all  six  and  a 
quarter  inches. 

1810.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  56,  and  it  produced  its  full  quantum 
of  mild  and  pleasant  weather.     On  two  days 
the  mercury  ran  up  to  70,  and  on  twelve  days 
it  varied  from  62  to  68  at  mid-day.     It  con- 
tinued  mild   until   the   23d,    when   the  wind 
changed  to  north-east,  and  the  remainder  of  the 
month  was  very   cool,  damp  and  chilly,  and 
considerable  rain  fell,  making  in  all  about  four 
inches. 

1811.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  55.     This  month  commenced  unu- 
sually pleasant,  and  so  continued  until  the  llth, 
when  the  wind  suddenly  changed  to  north-east, 
and  for  one  week  it  was  a  sad  reverse.     After 
that  the  wind  wested  again,  and  it  was  delight- 
fully pleasant  until  the  25th,  when  the  wind 
changed  to  east,  and  the  weather  was  unsettled, 
(and  part  of  the  time  rainy,)  until  the  month 
closed.     The  quantity  of  rain  which  fell  during 
the  month  was  three  and  a  half  inches. 


198  OCTOBER. 

1812.  The    medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  56.     It  commenced  cool,  with  the 
wind  north-west,  but  on  the  4th  it  changed  to 
south-west,  and  two  weeks  of  mild  and  splendid 
weather  followed.     It  then  changed  to  north- 
east, and  some  rain  fell  on  two  days,  making  in 
all  that   fell   during   the   month,  about  three 
inches.     The  month  ended  clear  and  cool. 

1813.  The    medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  54.    The  weather  during  the  month, 
was  more  variable  than  usual  for  October.     It 
was  both  warm  and  cool,  and  some  rain  fell  on 
eight  days,  making  in  all  nearly  six  inches. 
On  several  days  the  wind  was  quite  boisterous. 

1814.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  55.     It  commenced  mild  and  plea- 
sant,  with  the   wind  west.     On  the  7th  the 
wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  it  was  quite 
cool  until  the  12th,  when  it  changed  to  east, 
and  considerable  rain  fell;  after  which  it  clear- 
ed cool,  with  the  wind  north,  and  there  was 
thin  ice  on  several  mornings.     On  the  19th  the 
wind  wested,  and  it  was  very  mild  until  the 
25th,  when  the  wind  changed  to  north-east,  and 
it  was  very  chilly  and  damp  for  several  days. 
About  four  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1815.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  57,  and  it  was  remarkably  mild  and 
pleasant  a  great  part  of  the  time  until  the  20th, 
when  the  wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  some 
rain  fell;  after  which  it  cleared  quite  cool  and 
frostv,  and  so  continued  until  the  month  closed. 

J  ' 

During  the  former  part  of  the  month,  the  mer- 


OCTOBER.  19'9 

cury  rose  to  70  and  above,  on  five  days,  and  on 
eleven  days  it  varied  from  62  to  68.  About 
three  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1816.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  52,  and  it  produced  more  than  its 
usual  quantity  of  cool   days  and  very  frosty 
nights.     On  several  mornings  ice  was  a  quar- 
ter of  an  inch  thick.     There  was,  however,  one 
week  of  very  mild  and  pleasant  weather  with  a 
balmy  south-west  wind.     About  two  and  a  half 
inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1817.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  54.     It  was  mild  and  pleasant  until 
past  the  middle  of  the  month,  when  a  week  of 
wet,  easterly  weather  ensued;  it  however  be- 
came mild  and  pleasant  again,  and  the  month 
closed  with  a  good  character.  About  four  inches 
of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1818.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  56,  and  it  produced  much  very  mild 
and  pleasant  weather,  interspersed  with  some 
cool,  damp,  and  rainy  days.     The  mercury  ran 
up  to  70  twice  at  mid-day,  and  it  was  from  64 
to  68  on  several  days.     About  three  and  a  half 
inches  of  rain  fell. 

1819.  The    medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  54,  and  as  usual  there  were  many 
mild  and  pleasant  days,  and  others  that  were 
cool  and  frosty,  and  also  some  that  were  over- 
cast, damp,  and  rainy.     About  two  inches  of 
rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1820.  The   medium   temperature   of   this 


200  OCTOBER. 

month  was  56.  It  commenced  and  continued 
pleasant  and  mild  until  the  13th,  when  the  wind 
changed  to  east,  and  overcast,  chilly  and  wet 
weather  followed  until  the  20th,  when  the  wind 
took  a  westerly  direction,  and  it  was  very  mild 
during  the  residue  of  the  month.  Some  rain 
fell  on  five  days,  making*  in  all  about  two  and 
three  quarter  inches. 

1821.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  55,  and  it  produced  many  mild  and 
very  pleasant  days,  particularly  during  the  first 
two  weeks.     From  the  15th  to  the  close  of  the 
month  the  weather  was  very  variable,  being  al- 
ternately cloudy,  overcast,  chilly,  drizzly,  rainy, 
clear,  mild,  cold  and  frosty.    About  three  inches 
of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1822.  The    medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  53,  and  it  was  cooler,  and  more  rain 
fell  than  usual  during  the  month,  making  in 
all  about  five  inches.     There  were,  however, 
some  very  mild  and  pleasant  days,  interspersed 
with  those  that  were  unpleasant. 

1823.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  55.     It  commenced  cool  with  the 
wind  at  north-east,  but  it  changed  to  west  on 
the  5th,  and  nearly  two  weeks  of  mild  and 
pleasant   weather  ensued.     On  the    17th   the 
wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  it  was  over- 
cast, cool,  and  rainy  until  the  21st,  when  the 
wind  wested,  and  the  weather  was  again  mild 
and  pleasant  until  the  28th,  when  the  wind 
changed  to  north-west,  and  it  was  quite  cool 
and  frosty  until  the  month  closed.    About  three 


OCTOBER.  201 

inches  and  a  quarter  of  rain  fell  during  the 
month. 

1824.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  54.     It  commenced  cool  and  plea- 
sant with  the  wind  at  north-west,  but  it  changed 
to  south-west  on  the  4th,  and  ten  days  of  very 
mild  and  pleasant  weather  followed,  when  the 
wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  it  was  cool, 
clamp,  and  rainy  until  the  20th,  when  it  cleared 
cool  and  frosty  for  a  few  days,  after  which  the 
wind  wested  and  the  month  closed  mild  and 
pleasant.     About  three  inches  of  rain  fell  dui- 
ing  the  month. 

1825.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was   56.     It  commenced   cool,   cloudy 
and  damp,  and  some  rain  fell  on  the  4th,  after 
which  the  wind  wested,  and  nearly  three  weeks 
of  mild  and  splendid  weather  followed.     On 
the  23d  the  wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  it 
became  very  cool  and  damp,  and  so  continued 
until  the  27th,  when  it  rained,  after  which  it 
cleared  cool.     Only  one  inch  and  a  quarter  of 
rain  fell  during  the  month  in  this  vicinity. 

1826.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  52,  and  it  commenced  and  contin- 
ued pleasant  until  the  llth,  when  the   wind 
changed   to   north-east,  and   it   was   cool  and 
damp,  and  some  rain  fell  on  the  12th  and  13th, 
after  which  the  wind  wested  and  some  mild 
and  pleasant  weather  followed  until  the   19th, 
when  the  wind  changed  to  east,  and  it  rained 
part  of  the  19th,  20th  and  21st,  after  which  it 
was  clear  and  frosty  until  the  28th,  with  the 


202  OCTOBER. 

wind  at  north-west.  More  rain  fell  on  the 
29th,  making  in  all  that  fell  during  the  month, 
a  fraction  over  six  inches. 

1827.  The    medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was   only  46,  and  it  was   the   coldest 
month  of  October  we  have  upon  our  record.  It 
rained,  it  snowed,  it  hailed  and  it  froze  water 
in  shallow  ponds  hard  enough  to  bear  a  stout 
man.     In  the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia  it  was 
more  than  half  an  inch  thick,  and  at  the  north 
and  east  it  was  said  to  be  an  inch  and  a  half 
thick.     It  was  also  very  cold  far  to  the  west 
and  south,  and  mariners  on  the  coast  reported 
on  their  arrival  that  they  rarely  ever  experi- 
enced more  severe  weather  in  mid-winter.    The 
wind  was  from  the  north  and  east  a  great  part 
of  the  month.     Some  rain  fell  on  the  2d,  9th, 
10th,  14th,  22d  and  30th,  making  six  inches. 
On  some  days  a  little  snow  fell  here ;  several 
inches  of  snow  fell  in  the  interior  of  New  York, 
Vermont  and  in  the  eastern  states.     In  Upper 
Canada  it  was  published  as  being  a  foot  deep, 
and  good  sleighing. 

1828.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  56,  and  it  was  a  very  warm  month 
compared  with  the  corresponding  month  of  last 
year.     It  commenced  damp  and  overcast,  and 
a  very  little  rain  fell  on  the  1st  and  5th,  with 
the  wind  east,  but  on  the  6th  the  wind  changed 
to  west  and  two  weeks  of  mild  and  pleasant 
weather  followed.     On  the  19th  a  little  more 
rain  fell,  after  which  pleasant  weather  ensued 
until   the  28th,  when  a  little  more  rain  fell, 


OCTOBER.  203 

making  in  all  that  fell  during  the  month,  only 
one  inch  and  a  half. 

1829.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  56,  and  there  were  many  very  mild 
and  pleasant  days,  notwithstanding  some  rain 
fell  on  five  days,  making  in  all  two  and  a  quar- 
ter inches.     The  wind  was  very  variable,  but 
not  boisterous. 

1830.  The    medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  54.     It  commenced  and  continued 
mild  and  pleasant  until  the  9th,  when  the  wind 
changed  to  north-east,  and  it  was  overcast  and 
cool  until  the  15th,  and  some  rain  fell  on  the 
9th,  12th  and  14th,  after  which  it  was  pleasant 
until  the  20th,  when  more  rain  fell,  and  it  clear- 
ed cool  and  frosty  with  wind  north-west,  and 
so  continued  until   the   month   closed.     Four 
inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1831.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  55.     It  was  mild  and  pleasant  until 
the  10th,  when  the  wind  changed  to  north-east 
and  some  rain  fell  on  the  10th  and  12th,  after 
which  it  was  mild  and  pleasant  until  the  23d, 
when  the  wind  again  changed  to  north-east,  and 
it  was  partly  cloudy,  chilly  and  damp  until  the 
month  closed.     More  rain  fell  on  the  24th  and 
29th,  making  in  all  that  fell  during  the  month 
four  inches. 

1832.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  57.     Although   some   rain  fell  on 
seven  days  during  this  month,  yet  between  the 
days  in  which  it  fell,  there  was  much  mild  and 
splendid  weather.     No  severe  storm  occurred 


'-204  OCTOBER. 

during  the  month,  but  the  rain  that  fell  de- 
scended in  showers.  All  that  fell  during  the 
month  was  three  and  a  half  inches. 

1833.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  56,  and  it  was  a  mild,  but  wet 
month.  There  were  two  old-fashioned  north-east 
rain  storms,  and  in  addition  thereto  rain  fell  on 
five  other  days,  making  in  all  ten  inches,  and 
yet  there  were  a  goodly  number  of  very  mild 
and  pleasant  days. 

1834.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  56,  which  is  the  same  as  the  cor- 
responding month  of  last  year,  but  the  quantity 
of  rain  that  fell  was  very  small  compared  with 
that  month,  as  only  three  and  a  quarter  inches 
fell,  and  there  were  a  greater  number  of  mild 
and  pleasant  days. 

1835.  The    medium    temperature    of  this 
month  was  54.     It  was  not  so  mild  and  plea- 
sant as  the  two  previous  October  months,  as  it 
had  more  dry  northerly  winds  to  contend  with. 
Only  one  inch  and  a  quarter  of  rain  fell  during 
the  whole  month.     It  gave  more  clear  days,  but 
they    were    cool    and    chilly.       A    Yarmouth, 
Mass,  paper,  gives  the  names  of  62  men  belong- 
ing to  Truro,  who  perished  in  the  gale  of  this 
month,  on  their  homeward  passage,  27  of  whom 
left  widows,  and  35  were  young  men. 

1836.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  49,   and   north-west   and   easterly 
winds  prevailed  either  the  whole  or  a  part  of 
twenty-two  days.     It  rained  on  five  days,  dur- 


OCTOBER.  205 

ing  which  three  and  a  half  inches  fell.  On 
two  days  the  wind  southed,  and  the  mercury 
ran  up  to  70  at  mid-day ;  and  on  seven  days 
the  mercury  varied  from  60  to  66.  On  the 
other  hand,  while  the  wind  was  at  north-west 
and  north,  the  mercury  did  not  rise  above  47 
at  mid-day  for  eight  days.  On  one  of  those 
days,  it  only  rose  to  43  at  mid-day,  and  during 
the  night  it  sunk  to  20,  which  is  12  degrees 
below  the  freezing  point.  This  was  the  cold- 
est October  night  that  we  have  on  our  record. 

1837.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  54  ;  and  it  was  very  warm  and  very 
cool,  alternately.  On  nine  days,  (not  in  suc- 
cession,) the  mercury  rose  to  70  and  above. 
On  three  of  those  days  it  rose  to  76  at  mid-day. 
On  eight  days,  the  mercury  varied  from  62  to 
68.  But  on  the  other  hand,  it  was  from  44  to 
48  only,  on  three  mid-days.  On  eleven  days, 
it  varied  from  50  to  60  at  mid-day.  On  seven 
nights  there  was  frost ;  and  on  three  mornings 
there  was  ice  as  thick  as  window-glass.  Dur- 
ing the  whole  or  a  part  of  fourteen  days,  the 
wind  was  from  the  north-west.  Ten  days  it 
was  from  west  to  south.  The  remaining  days 
it  varied  from  north  to  south-east.  Some  rain 
fell  on  five  days,  making  in  all  only  three  quar- 
ters of  an  inch. 

A  succession  of  violent  gales  were  experien- 
ced, both  on  the  sea  and  on  the  land,  during 
this  and  the  previous  month,  which  occasioned 
many  disasters,  the  most  appalling  of  which 
was  the  loss  of  the  steam-packet  Home,  in 
which  more  than  one  hundred  valuable  lives 
18* 


^06  O  C  T  O  B  E  R. 

were  lost.  Several  other  vessels  were  lost  dur- 
ing the  same  storm.  It  is  worthy  of  record, 
that  while  other  latitudes  were  visited  with 
boisterous  weather  during  the  past  three 
months,  in  this  latitude  there  was  scarcely 
wind  enough  to  fill  the  sails  of  vessels  passing 
up  and  down  the  Delaware,  from  May  to  Octo- 
ber, and  the  weather  was  very  mild. 

1838.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  50,  and  there  were  more  easterly 
winds  and  wet  weather  than  usual.     On  eleven 
days  some  rain  fell,  making  in  all  five  inches. 
The  wind  was  from  north  to  east,  a  great  part 
of  the  month.     On  six  mornings  there  w^as  frost, 
and  thin  ice  in  the  country  on  two  mornings.. 
On  the  llth,  part  of  the  Alleghany  mountains 
were  covered  with  snow,  and  on  the  31st,  snow 
fell  to  the  depth  of  ten  inches  in  the  interior  of 
Pennsylvania  and  New  York.     On  the  31st 
there  were  two  smart  snow  squalls  in  this  city, 
and  the  wind  blew  violently  from  the  north- 
west  from   ten  in  the  morning  until   sunset. 

O 

Violent  gales  of  wind  were  experienced  off 
Cape  Florida  arid  elsewhere,  and  many  vessels 
and  lives  were  lost. 

1839.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  56,  and  from  the  1st  to  the  19th  of 
the  month,  it  was  remarkably  mild  and  plea- 
sant.    On  the  19th  there  was  a  north-east  rain 
storm,  but  on  the  20th  it  cleared  cool,  and  so 
continued  until  the  month  closed.     During  the 
first  three  weeks,  it  was  so  mild,  that  on  seven 
days  the  mercury  varied  from  70  to  75  at  mid- 
day ;  and  on  sixteen  days  it  was  from  60  to  67. 


OCTOBER.  207 

Some  rain  fell  on  six  days,  making  in  all  three 
inches. 

1840.  The   medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  54.     On  the  first  day,  the  mercury 
was  76  at  two  o'clock,  which  is  summer  heat. 
On  four  other  days  it  was  from  70  to  75  during 
mid-day ;  and  on  thirteen  other  days,  it  varied 
from  60  to  68  at  mid-day.     On  eleven  days  it 
was  from  50  to  58  ;  and  on  three  days  from  42 
to  45  at  mid-day.     On  the  26th  and  27th,  at 
sunrise,  the  mercury^was  29,  which  is  3  below 
the  freezing  point,  and  ice  was  nearly  half  an 
inch  thick.     Therefore,  this  month  produced 
both  a  winter  and  a  summer  atmosphere.     On 
six  mornings  there  was  frost.     On  eleven  days 
a  little  rain  fell,  and  on  one  day  there  was  a 
north-east  rain  storm ;  making  in  all  that  fell 
during  the  month,  five  and  three  quarter  inches. 
On  the  25th,  snow  fell  in  Connecticut  to  the 
depth  of  six  inches,  and  in  Worcester,  (Mass.) 
there  was  good  sleighing. 

1841.  The   medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  50,  and  there  was  much  cold,  dry, 
windy  weather.     But  once  did  the  mercury 
rise  so  high  as  68  at  mid-day.     On  one  morn- 
ing it  was  as  low  as  28.     Six  mornings  it  was 
from  34  to  36.     Sixteen  mornings  it  was  from 
40  to  48,  and  during  mid-day  from  50  to  60. 
North  and  north-west  winds  prevailed  during 
the  whole  or  a  part  of  twenty  days.     There 
was  a  north-east  rain  storm  on  the  3d,  and  a 
little  rain  fell  on  four  other  days,  making  in  all 
three  and  a  quarter  inches.     The  violent  north- 
east storm  of  the  3d,  extended  from  east  to  west, 


208  OCTOBER. 

and  from  north  to  south,  and  upon  the  ocean, 
doing  immense  damage.  More  than  one  hun- 
dred vessels  were  lost,  and  many  poor  mariners 
perished.  It  was  estimated,  that  property  in 
vessels  and  goods  was  destroyed  to  the  amount 
of  two  millions  of  dollars.  The  storm  at  New 
Brunswick,  N.  J.,  was  very  furious,  and  rain 
fell  in  torrents,  mingled  with  snow  and  hail. 
In  New  York  city  the  rain  poured,  and  the 
wind  blew  a  complete  gale  all  day  and  night, 
carrying  away  awnings  ajad  branches  of  trees 
like  feathers,  and  doing  much  damage  to  the 
shipping  at  the  wharves  and  in  the  harbour. 
At  New  Haven  and  further  east,  much  damage 
was  also  done.  There  were  between  forty  and 
fifty  vessels  lost  on  Cape  Cod,  and  most  of  their 
crews,  numbering  more  than  three  hundred 
that  were  lost.  Fifty  dead  bodies  were  washed 
or  drifted  on  shore.  From  forty  to  fifty  vessels, 
(principally  fishing  schooners,)  owned  in  Glou- 
cester and  Marblehead,  were  lost,  with  a  part 
of  their  crews.  Much  damage  was  also  sus- 
tained by  vessels  at  Halifax,  Quebec,  &c.  Such 
a  severe  and  destructive  storm  had  not  occurred 
on  the  American  coast  for  many  years.  There 
were  both  hail  storms  and  snow  storms  during 
the  month,  at  Utica,  Geneva,  Buffalo,  &c.,  in 
New  York  State,  and  also  in  the  interior  of 
Pennsylvania,  &c.,  &c. 

1842.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  53  ;  and  with  a  very  few  exceptions, 
the  weather  was  mild  and  pleasant  during  the 
whole  month,  in  this  vicinity.  On  five  days 
the  mercury  rose  to  70  arid  above,  at  mid-day. 


OCTOBER.  209 

On  two  days  it  rose  to  74.  On  fourteen  days 
it  varied  from  60  to  68.  There  were  only  six 
frosty  mornings  during  the  month.  A  little 
rain  fell  on  five  days,  making  in  all  one  and 
three  quarter  inches.  While  we  were  so  highly 
favoured  in  this  latitude  with  mild  and  pleasant 
weather,  violent  gales  and  storms  were  expe- 
rienced at  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Florida,  in 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  in  the  Mississippi  river,  at 
Pensacola,  Galveston,  &c.;  great  damage  was 
done  to  vessels  on  the  coast  and  in  ports.  The 
brig  Cuba,  from  Galveston  for  New  York,  with 
a  number  of  male  and  female  passengers,  was 
lost  in  a  violent  gale,  and  all  on  board  perished, 
and  several  other  vessels  were  supposed  to  have 
been  lost  in  the  same  gale,  as  nothing  was  heard 
of  them  afterwards. 

1843.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  52 ;  and  it  was  indeed  a  pleasant 
month  in  this  latitude.  There  were  twenty- 
two  fair  and  pleasant  days*  three  that  were 
cloudy ;  and  six  in  which  some  rain  fell,  mak- 
ing in  all  three  and  a  quarter  inches.  The 
mercury  was  from  70  to  72  on  three  days,  and 
on  twelve  days  it  was  from  60  to  68  at  mid- 
day. The  mercury,  at  sunrise,  was  only  once 
as  low  as  32.  In  other  latitudes  this  side  the 
equator,  the  weather  was  very  different  from 
that  experienced  in  this  latitude.  During  the 
storm  and  flood  at  Port  Leon,  (Florida,)  every 
house  but  three  were  swTept  away.  At  St. 
Marks,  (Florida,)  several  buildings  were  swept 
away,  and  several  lives  were  lost  at  both  places. 
During  the  storm  on  the  7th  and  8th,  such  tor- 


210  OCTOBER. 

rents  of  rain  fell  in  Massachusetts,  bordering 
on  trie  Connecticut  river,  as  to  cause  a  rise  in 
the  river  of  eighteen  feet,  which  did  great  dam- 
age. This  storm,  which  continued  for  two  days 
east  of  New  York,  was  very  boisterous,  and  the 
steamboats  in  the  Sound  received  so  much 
damage,  they  had  to  put  into  harbours.  The 
steamboat  Victor,  and  several  other  vessels, 
were  blown  ashore. 

1844.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  53 ;  during  which  there  was  much 
cloudy,  overcast,  stormy,  and  unpleasant  wea- 
ther in  this  latitude,  which  is  very  unusual. 
The  wind  blew  from  the  north,  north-east,  and 
east,  either  the  whole  or  a  part  of  nineteen 
days,  and  several  days  were  very  stormy ;  but 
there  were  a  few  that  were  very  pleasant  and 
warm.     Some  rain  fell  on  twelve  days,  making 
in  all  five  inches.     On  four  days  the  mercury 
rose  to  70,  and  on  seven  it  varied  from  64  to  68. 
There  were  slight^frosts  on  eight  mornings,  and 
in  the  country  the're  was  thin  ice  on  two  morn- 
ings.    Numerous  gales  of  wind  were  experien- 
ced by  vessels  at  sea  and  on  the  coast ;  also  in 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  at  Key  West,  &c.     Awful 
and  destructive  gales  were  also  experienced  on 
the  Lakes,  and  great  damage  was  sustained  by 
vessels,  and  many  lives  were  lost, 

1845.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  56.     The  weather  during  the  first 
two  weeks,   was  very  variable.     Part  of  the 
time  it  was  cloudy,  overcast,  foggy  and  rainy. 
Two  days  it  was  clear,  and  on  six  days  some 
rain  fell.     The  remainder  of  the  month  was 


OCTOBER.  211 

generally  pleasant,  but  several  days  were  quite 
cool.  Four  mornings  were  a  little  frosty,  and 
on  two  others  there  was  thin  ice,  with  the  mer- 
cury at  thirty.  On  ten  days  the  mercury  was 
70  and  above,  during  mid-day ;  on  two  of  those 
days  it  was  74,  and  on  one  78.  On  seven  mid- 
days it  varied  from  50  to  59.  On  eight  days  it 
was  42  to  48,  at  mid-day.  Two  and  a  half 
inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month.  On  the 
12th,  while  it  rained  in  Pennsylvania,  snow 
was  falling  in  the  interior  of  New  York,  and  in 
Vermont,  and  also  in  Upper  Canada.  Owing 
to  the  torrents  of  rain  that  fell  from  the  5th  to 
the  13th  of  the  month,  at  the  south,  the  Ala-: 
bama  river  rose  twenty  feet  higher  than  usual. 

1846.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  55,  and  it  was  a  remarkably  plea- 
sant month.  It  commenced  with  the  summer 
temperature  of  76,  and  continued  fair  and  mild 
until  the  13th,  when  a  south-east  rain  storm 
occupied  one  whole  day,  after  which  it  cleared 
mild  and  pleasant,  and  so  continued  in  this  lati- 
tude, until  the  month  closed.  Only  two  inches 
of  rain  fell  in  this  city  during  the  whole  month, 
and  there  were  twenty-four  fair  and  pleasant 
days.  Although  the  weather  was  so  uncom- 
monly pleasant  in  this  latitude  during  the  whole 
month,  (with  the  exception  of  the  13th,)  there 
were  violent  and  destructive  storms  on  the  llth, 
12th,  and  13th,  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  at  Key 
West,  at  Havana,  and  various  other  places  at 
the  south,  the  west,  the  north,  and  the  east,  and 
an  immense  amount  of  property  was  destroyed 
both  on  the  land  and  sea. 


RECORD   OF   THE  WEATHER 

IN  PHILADELPHIA, 

TOR    THE    MOIfTH    OF 

NOVEMBER. 

1790.  The   medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  40;  during  which  there  was  rain, 
hail,  and  snow,  and  alternately  some  mild  and 
some  very  cold  days.     Rain  fell  on  seven  days, 
making  in  all  about  six  inches,  and  about  four 
inches  of  snow  fell.     The  month  closed  very 
cold. 

1791.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  41.     It  commenced  cool  and  frosty, 
with  the  wind  north-west.     On  the  7th   the 
wind  wested,  and  it  was  mild  and  pleasant  until 
the  13th,  when  it  changed  to  north-east,  and  a 
little  snow  fell,  which  was  soon  followed  by 
rain.     On  the  15th  the  wind  changed  to  north- 
west, and  blew  very  fresh  and  cold,  and  the 
nights  that  succeeded  were  very  cold  until  the 
20th,  and  considerable  ice  was  made.     On  the 
21st  the  wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  more 
snow  and  rain  fell;  after  which  the  weather 
cleared  mild,  with  a  westerly  wind,  and  it  con- 
tinued mild  until  the  month  closed.     About 
four  inches  of  rain  and  two  inches  of  snow  fell 
during  the  month. 


NOVEMBER.  213 

1792.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  40 ;  during  which  there  was  much 
mild   and   pleasant  weather,  for  a  November 
month,  but  when  a  re-action  took  place  it  was 
severely  cold.     After  the  20th  the  weather  was 
very  variable,  and  it  rained  and  snowed  on  seve- 
ral days,  and  there  was  no  more  settled  wea- 
ther during  the  month.     About  five  inches  of 
rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1793.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  38.     After  the  previous  very  warm 
months,  it  was  not  surprising  that  the  weather 
should  be  very  cold,  as  generally  one  extreme 
succeeds  another.     The  prevailing  winds  were 
north-west  and  north-east.     Snow,  as  well  as 
rain,  fell  on  several  days.     There  were  a  few 
days  of  sleighing.    But  generally,  in  this  vicini- 
ty, after  a  fall  of  snow,  the  weather  soon  mode- 
rates and  rain  follows.-    This  is  more  particu- 
larly the  case  the  first  commencement  of  cold 
weather.     About  six  inches  of  snow,  and  four 
and  a  half  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 
There  was  much  boisterous  weather  on  the  sea 
coast,  and  several  marine  disasters. 

1794.  The   medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  40,  and  like  almost  all  other  No- 
vember months  the  weather  was  very  variable. 
During  a  part  of  the  month  it  was  mild  and 
pleasant,   and  anon  very  cold  and  boisterous, 
and  some  snow  and  rain  fell ;  making  in  all 
two  inches  of  snow  and  five  of  rain. 

1795.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month   was   41.      It    commenced   damp    and 

19 


214  NOVEMBER. 

drizzly,  with  the  wind  north-east.  On  the  3d 
the  wind  wested,  and  a  week  of  mild  and  plea- 
sant wreather  ensued,  after  which  the  wind 
changed  to  north-east  and  some  rain  fell,  when 
it  cleared  cool  with  a  north-west  wind,  and  it 
continued  cold  and  very  frosty  until  the  16th, 
when  some  easterly,  \vet  weather  ensued.  On 
the  24th  it  cleared  with  a  cold  north-west  wind, 
which  continued  until  the  month  closed.  About 
five  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1796.  The   medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  43,  and  a  great  part  of  the  month 
was  clear,  splendid  weather.     Some  rain  fell 
on  five  days,  making  in  all  about  three  and  a 
half  inches.     There  was  also  a  few  flakes  of 
snow  fell  in  this  city,  but  at  the  north  and  east 
there  was  some  sleighing.     On  the  26th  a  great 
fire  occurred  at  Savannah,  Georgia,  in  which 
229  houses  were  burnt.. 

1797.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  40,  and  the  weather  was  very  va- 
riable.    The  second  week,  however,  was  very 
mild  and  pleasant ;  during  the  other  parts  of 
the   month  there  were  rain  storms  and  snow 
storms,  and   much   cold,  cloudy  and  overcast 
weather.     About  four  and  a  half  inches  of  rain 
and  two  inches  of  snow  fell  during  the  month. 

1798.  The    medium   temperature    of  this 
month  was  40,  and  the  first  ten  days  were  clear, 
cool  and  pleasant,  with  the  wind  at  north-west. 
It  afterwards  changed  to  south-west,  and  a  week 
of  very  mild  wreather  ensued.     It  then  changed 
to  north-east  and  a  storm  gathered,  and  it  rain- 


NOVEMBER.  215 

ed  copiously  for  part  of  two  days.  On  the  18th 
it  cleared  cool  with  the  wind  at  north-west. 
On  the  26th  the  wind  again  changed  to  north- 
east and  more  rain  fell,  making  in  all  that  fell 
during  the  month  six  and  a  half  inches. 


1799.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  42.     It  commenced  clear  and  mild, 
with  the  wind  at  south-west,  but  on  the  8th  it 
rained  copiously.     It  afterwards  cleared  with  a 
cold    north-wester.      On   the    17th   the   wind 
again  changed  to  west,  and  several  mild  and 
pleasant  days  followed.     The  wind  then  south- 
ed and  a  warm  rain  ensued,  after  which  the 
wind  changed  to  north-west,  and  the  remainder 
of  the  month  was  quite  cold  and  frosty.    Some 
rain  fell  on  eight  days,  making  in  all  nearly 
six  inches. 

1800.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  41.     The  first  week  was  cool,  fair 
and  frosty,  with  the  wind  north-west ;  the  se- 
cond week  was  mild  and  pleasant,  with  the 
wind  south-west,  after  which  it  was  overcast, 
cloudy  and  rainy  for  several  days.    During  the 
remainder  of  the  month  the  weather  was  very 
unsettled ;  being  sometimes  clear  and  cool,  and 
at  other  times  overcast  and  rainy,  with  some 
flirts  of  snow.     About  five  inches  of  rain  fell. 
While  it  rained  in  Pennsylvania,  it  snowed  at 
the  north  and  east. 

1801.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  43,  and  the  weather  was  cool  and 
frosty  during  the  first  week,  with  wind  north- 
west ;  the   second  week  was  mild   and  very 


216  NOVEMBER. 

pleasant,  with  the  wind  at  south-west ;  after 
which  the  wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  it 
was  cool  and  rainy  for  several  days.  On  the 
16th  the  wind  wested  and  the  weather  was 
mild  until  the  23d,  when  some  snow  and  rain 
fell,  and  the  remainder  of  the  month  the  wea- 
ther was  very  unsettled.  About  seven  inches 
of  rain,  and  two  inches  of  snow  fell. 

1802.  The    medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  44.     The  first  week  was  very  mild 
and  pleasant  with  the  wind  south-west,  after 
which  the  wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  it 
was  cool,  overcast  and  rainy  during  the  second 
week ;  the   third   week   was   clear,   cold   and 
frosty,  with  the  wind  north-west.    The  remain- 
der of  the  month  was  mild  and  pleasant,  with 
the  wind  varying  from  west  to  south-west.     A 
great  part  of  the  month  was  mild  and  pleasant. 
About  three  and  a  half  inches  of  rain  fell. 

1803.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  46,  and  it  produced  some  very  mild 
and  pleasant,  with  some  cloudy  and  rainy  wea- 
ther.    There  was  very  little  frost  during  the 
month.     The  wind  was  west  and  south-west 
more   than  half  the  month.     During  the  re- 
mainder of  the  month  the  wind  was  very  va- 
riable.    About  four  and  a  quarter  inches  of  rain 
fell  during  the  month. 

1804.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  44,  during  which  there  were  eleven 
entirely  clear  and  splendid  days ;  eleven  that 
were  partly  cloudy  and  partly  clear ;  and  eight 
in  which  some  rain  fell,  making  in  all  that  fell 


NOVEMBER.  217 

during  the  month,  about  five  and  a  half  inches. 
The  wind  during  the  month  varied  from  north 
to  west,  and  south-west.  There  was  frost  on  six 
mornings  and  ice  on  two. 

1805.  The  medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  44,  and  the  wind  and  weather  were 
very  variable.     During  the  month  some  rain 
fell  on  thirteen  days,  making  in  all  about  nine 
inches.     There  were   several   very  mild   and 
pleasant  days,  and  some  that  were  very  cold 
and  frosty.     On  the  8th  and  9th  of  this  month 
an  awful  and  destructive  storm  \vas  experienced 
in  the  British  channel,  during  which  many 
vessels  and  several  hundred  lives  were  lost. 

1806.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  45,  and  the  first  twelve  days  were 
mild  and  very  pleasant,  after  which  the  wind 
changed  to  north-east  and  a  rain  storm  ensued. 
The  wind  then  changed  to  north-west,  and  a 
week  of  cold,  frosty  weather  followed.     The 
wind  again  changed  to  north-east  and  more 
rain  fell.     The  weather  during  the  residue  of 
the  month  was  very  unsettled,  but  it  was  cold 
and  frosty  most  of  the  time.     About  five  inches 
of  rain  fell  during  the  month,  and  a  few  flakes 
of  snow. 

1807.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  44,  and  it  produced  its  full  quan- 
tum of  mild  and  pleasant  weather,  with  a  few 
rainy  days  and  some  flakes  of  snow,  all  of  which 
received   a  hearty  welcome,  as  the  rain  was 
much  needed,  and  the  snow  warned  us  that 
wrinter  was  near  at  hand  and  to  be  prepared  for  it. 

19* 


218  NOVEMBER. 

About  four   inches   of   rain   fell   during    the 
month. 

1808.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was   40,  and    it   produced  much  cold, 
wintry  weather,  with  some  snow  storms  and 
rain  storms.     But  notwithstanding  these  un- 
pleasant visitations,  old  Sol  gave  us  some  cheer- 
ing and   pleasant  days   occasionally.      About 
three  inches  of  rain,  and  three  inches  of  snow 
fell  during  the  month. 

1809.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  43.     It  commenced  and  continued 
mild  and  pleasant  until  the   llth,   when  the 
wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  a  rain  storm 
soon  followed,  after  which  the  weather  remain- 
ed  unsettled  until  the   17th,  when  the  wind 
changed  to  north-west,  and  there  was  a  freezing 
atmosphere  for  several  nights.     The  wind  then 
wested,  and  mild,  pleasant  weather  ensued  un- 
til the  26th,  when  there  was  a  north-east  snow 
and  rain  storm,  and  freezing  weather  followed 
until  the  month  closed.     About  six  inches  of 
rain  and  two  inches  of  snow  fell  during  the 
month. 

1810.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  45.     During  the  first  two  weeks 
there  was  much  very  mild  and  pleasant  wea- 
ther, with  some  rainy  days.     West  and  south- 
west winds  prevailed  until  the  14th,  after  which 
the  wind  changed  to  east,  and  a  week  of  damp, 
chilly  weather  ensued,  when  the  wind  changed 
to  north-west,  and  the  weather  was  quite  cold 


NOVEMBER.  219 

and  some  snow  fell.    About  two  inches  of  snow 
and  five  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1811.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  43,  and  although  there  were  some 
very  pleasant,  mild  days,  yet  the  weather  was 
very  variable  a  great  part  of  the  month.     It 
rained,   it   hailed,  it  snowed,  it   froze   and   it 
thawed,  and    it   was   overcast,    clear,   cloudy, 
windy  and  calm.     About  six  inches  of  rain, 
and  three  inches  of  snow  fell  during  the  month  ; 
and  the  wind  changed  to  almost  every  point 
of  the  compass. 

1812.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  47,  and   it   produced   twenty-one 
mild,  and  pleasant  days.     On  the  24th  a  terri- 
ble hurricane   passed  over  Philadelphia,  and 
blew   down   several   buildings    and    unroofed 
others.     The  privateer  Rattlesnake  was  sunk 
at  New  Castle,  and  sixteen  officers  and  men 
perished.     Some  rain  fell  on  five  days,  making 
in  all  about  three  and  a  quarter  inches,  and  a 
few  flakes  of  snow  fell  on  two  days. 

1813.  The   medium    temperature    of  this 
month  was  44,  and  the  first  week  was  mild  and 
pleasant ;  but  on  the  7th  the  wind  changed  to 
east,  and  rain  fell  on  the  8th  and  9th,  after 
which  it  cleared  cold   and  some  very  frosty 
nights  followed.    On  the  17th  the  wind  wested, 
and  a  week  of  pleasant  weather  ensued.     On 
the  23d  the  wind  changed  to  north-east  and  the 
remainder  of  the  month  was  quite  cool,  damp, 
rainy,  snowy  and  frosty.     About  five  inches  of 
rain  and  two  inches  of  snow  fell  during  the 


220  NOVEMBER. 

month.  On  the  12th  there  was  a  very  de- 
structive gale  at  Halifax,  N.  S.,  and  several 
vessels  and  many  lives  were  lost. 

1814.  The  medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  45,  and  it  produced  much  mild  and 
pleasant  weather,  interspersed  with  some  rainy 
days,  and  a  few  flirts  of  snow,  and  frosty  nights. 
From  the  18th  to  the  end  of  the  month  some 
rain  and  a  little  snow  fell.     On  the  28th  it 
cleared   very   cold   with    a   north-west   wind. 
During  the  month  about  four  inches  of  rain, 
and  one  inch  of  snow  fell. 

1815.  The    medium    temperature    of   this 
month  was  42,  and  it  commenced  quite  cool 
and  frosty,  with  the  wind  at  north-west.     On 
the  4th  the  wind  wested,  and  it  was  mild  and 
pleasant  until  the  12th,  when  the  wind  changed 
to  north-east  and  considerable  rain  fell.     On 
the  16th  it  changed  to  north-west,  and  it  was 
windy  by  day  and  very  frosty  by  night  until 
the  21st,  when   the  wind   again   changed   to 
north-east,  and  about  two  inches  of  snow  fell, 
after  which  it  rained  nearly  all  day  and  night ; 
it  then  cleared  cold  and  very  slippery,  and  so 
continued  until  the  month  closed.     Nearly  six 
inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month,  and  snow 
as  mentioned  above. 

1816.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  41.     This  was  indeed  a  cold  blus- 
tering month,  and  there  was  rain  storms  and 
snow  storms;   cold  north-west  and  north-east 
winds,  with  a  few  balmy  westerly  breezes,  and 
mild  days.     About  six  inches  of  rain  and  four 


NOVEMBER.  221 

inches  of  snow  fell,  which  made  some  sleighin 
in  the  country,  but  very  little  in  the  city, 
froze  very  hard  several  nights,  and  some  days 
were  cold  enough  to  sit  by  a  good  fire. 

1817.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  45,  and  the  first  two  weeks  were  as 
mild  and  pleasant  as  October,  but  on  the  eve 
of  the  14th  a  great  re-action  took  place ;   the 
wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  a  rain  storm 
followed,  mingled  with  some  snow.     On  the 
16th  it  cleared  with  a  cold  north-wester,  which 
produced  some  frosty  nights.     On  the  21st  the 
wind  wested,  and  a  few  mild  days  ensued ;  but 
on  the  25th  the  wind  changed  to  north-east, 
which  produced  more  rain  and  snow,  and  the 
month   closed   cold.     About   five   and   a  half 
inches  of  rain  and  two  inches  of  snow  fell  dur- 
ing the  month. 

1818.  The  medium   temperature    of    this 
month   was   43,  and  the  weather  during  the 
month  was  quite  variable ;  sometimes  it  was 
mild  and  pleasant,  and  then  cold  and  frosty, 
with  snow  squalls.     The  wind  then  changed 
to  east,  and  rain  soon  followed,  and  the  month 
closed  cold.     Nearly  six  inches  of  rain,  and 
about  two  inches  of  snow  fell. 

1819.  The    medium    temperature    of  this 
month  was  44,  and   the   weather   was   about 
equally  divided  between  mild  and  pleasant,  and 
cool,  cloudy,  damp,  rainy,  &c.,  and  the  wind 
was  variable,  from  north  to  east,  and  west  to 
south.     On   one  day  there  were   some  snow 


222  NOVEMBER. 

squalls,  and  on  five  days  more  or  less  rain  fell, 
making  in  all  about  two  and  a  half  inches. 

1820.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  45,  and  it  produced  its  full  quantum 
of  mild  and  pleasant  weather;  but  there  were 
some  cool  days  and  frosty  nights,  with  two 
easterly  rain   storms,  and  about  one  inch   of 
snow.     Nearly  five  inches  of  rain  fell  during 
the  month. 

1821.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  41,  and  it  may  be  recorded  as  hav- 
ing been  a  stormy,  windy,  squally,  cold  month ; 
although  there  were  some  clear  and  pleasant 
days,  and  it  would  have  been  very  strange  had 
there  not  been.  There  were  three  snow  storms, 
which  were  accompanied  with  high  winds,  and 
considerable  rain  fell  during  the  month,  in  all 
about  four  inches,  and  four  inches  of  snow. 
Several  marine  disasters  occurred  on  the  coast. 

1822.  The  medium    temperature    of  this 
month  was  42,  and  the  first  week  was  mild  and 
pleasant,  but  it  was  succeeded  by  a  very  cold 
and  frosty  one.     After  which  the  wind  changed 
to  north-east,  and  a  rain  storm  followed,  min- 
gled with  snow,  which  made  very  sloppy  and 
slippery  walking,  but  it  soon  froze  hard,  and 
cleared  quite   cold  enough  for   three  or  four 
days,  when  the  wind  wested,  and  the  month 
closed  mild  and  pleasant.     About  four  and  a 
half  inches  of  rain  and  two  inches  of  snow  fell 
during  the  month. 

1823.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  46,  and  there  was  more  mild  and 


N  O  V  E  M  U  E  It.  223 

pleasant  weather  than  usual,  for  a  November 
month ;  but  its  rain  storms,  with  easterly  winds, 
were  not  forgotten.  Neither  did  the  month 
close  without  its  cold  north-wester,  and  some 
frosty  nights,  with  a  few  snow  squalls.  But  on 
the  whole,  it  was  a -pleasant  month  in  this  lati- 
tude. At  the  north  and  east,  the  newspapers 
did  not  give  the  month  so  good  a  character  as 
we  have  done.  About  six  inches  of  rain  fell  in 
this  vicinity  during  the  month. 

1824.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  44 ;  and  the  first  ten  days  were  tol- 
erably mild  and  pleasant;  after  which  the  wind 
changed  to  north-east,  and  a  rain  storm  followed 
soon  afterwards.  It  cleared  on  the  14th  with  a 
cold  north-wester,  and  some  very  frosty  nights 
ensued.  On  the  20th  the  wind  changed  again  to 
north-east,  and  about  three  inches  of  snow  fell, 
which  was  followed  by  a  powerful  rain ;  after 
which  it  cleared  cold,  with  a  brisk  north-west 
wind,  with  which  the  month  closed.  About 
six  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

J825.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  44,  and  it  produced  a  great  deal  of 
clear  and  pleasant  weather.  Also,  some  that 
was  cold  and  very  frosty.  Very  little  rain  fell 
on  the  14th  and  30th,  making  in  all  that  fell 
during  the  month,  only  one  and  a  half  inches; 
and  a  few  flakes  of  snow  on  one  day. 

1826.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  43,  and  it  commenced  overcast,  with 
some  rain.  It  was  then  clear  until  the  7th, 
when  a  little  more  rain  fell.  After  which  it 


224  NOVEMBER. 

was  clear  until  the  17th,  when  it  rained  again. 
It  was  then  fair  until  the  26th,  when  a  little 
more  rain  fell ;  making  in  all  that  fell  during 
the  month,  only  two  inches.  There  was  both 
mild  and  frosty  weather ;  and  there  were  a  few 
nights  in  which  ice  formed  -a  quarter  of  an  inch 
thick. 

1827.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  38,  during  which  there  was  much 
cold   and  stormy  weather.     Rain  fell  on  six 
days,  and  some  snow  on  three  days,  making  in 
all  of  rain  four  and  three  quarter  inches,  and 
about  four  inches  of  snow.     There  was  much 
frosty  weather,  and  some  nights  ice  formed  an 
half  inch  thick.     Mariners  on  the  coast  suffer- 
ed much  from  the  severity  of  the  weather,  and 
there  were  several  marine  disasters. 

1828.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  42,  during  which  there  was  much 
pleasant  weather,  notwithstanding  rain  fell  on 
eight  days,  making  in  all  six  and  three  quarter 
inches.     The  wind  was  variable,  from  north  to 
south  and  east  to  west,  but  not  long  at  one 
point  at  a   time.     The   mercury   during   the 
month  varied  from  28  to  70. 

1829.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  44.     It  commenced  damp  and  drizz- 
ly with  the  wind  east.     On  the  2d  the  wind 
wested,  and  with  the  exception  of  one  day,  it 
was  very  mild  and  pleasant  until   the    10th, 
when  the  wind  changed  to  east  and  some  rain 
fell.     Some  rain  also  fell  on  the  14th,  L7th, 
23d,  26th  and  30th,  making  in  all  that  fell  dur- 


NOVEMBER.  225 

ing  the  month  four  inches.  Some  of  the  inter- 
mediate days  (when  it  did  not  rain)  were  very 
pleasant  arid  mild. 

1830.  The   medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  40,  and  it  was  a  cool,  damp  month. 
Rain  fell  on  seven  days,  making  in  all  five  and 
a   quarter   inches.     Easterly  winds  prevailed 
very  much  and  a  little  snow  fell  on  two  days. 
The  wind  blew  very  cool  from  north-west  on 
four  or  five  days  and  at  night  it  froze  very  hard. 
There  were  several  very  mild  days,  with  wind 
varying  from  west  to  south-west ;  but  a  ma- 
jority of  the  month  was  cool  and  damp. 

1831.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  42.     It  commenced  and  continued 
mild  and  pleasant  (Indian  summer-like)  until 
the  llth,  with  the  wind  varying  from  west  to 
south.     But  on  the  1 1th  the  wind  changed  to 
east  and  some  rain  fell,  when  it  changed  to 
north-west,  and  it  was  cool  and  frosty  until  the 
19th,  then  the  wind  changed  to  north-east,  and 
it  was  damp  and  overcast  until  the  22d,  when 
more  rain  fell,  and  the  wind  wested  and  it  was 
mild  until  the  27th ;   after  which   the   wind 
changed  to  north-west  and  the  month  ended 
cold.     Some  rain  fell  on  four  days,  making  in 
all  two  inches. 

1832.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  28,  and  it  was  quite  a  cool,  winter- 
like  month.     After  the  first  few  days,  which 
were  rather  mild,  the  wind  was  cool  and  va- 
riable, from  north-west  to  north  and  north-east. 
Some  rain   and   snow  fell  on  the  19th,  after 

20 


226  NOVEMBER. 

which  the  weather  remained  unsettled  with  the 
wind  at  north-east  until  the  23d,  when  a  severe 
rain  storm  occurred  during  the  night,  after 
which  it  cleared  quite  cool,  and  so  continued 
until  the  month  closed.  Two  and  a  half  inches 
of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

1833.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  44,  and  it  was  indeed  a  month  of 
splendid  weather.  Rain  fell  on  four  days  only, 
making  in  all  two  inches.  During  the  first  three 
weeks  it  rained  but  once,  and  it  was  mostly 
mild  and  pleasant.  From  the  22d  to  the  close 
of  the  month  the  weather  was  very  variable, 
and  some  rain  fell  on  the  22d,  25th  and  30th. 
On  the  morning  of  the  13th  of  this  month, 
there  appeared  one  of  the  most  remarkable  and 
splendid  phenomenas  we  ever  remember  to  have 
seen.  It  commenced  about  four  o'clock  and 
continued  until  daylight.  There  appeared  to 
be  a  shower  of  stars,  as  thick  as  snow  usually 
descends,  making  a  brilliant  light  of  millions 
of  shooting  stars.  At  first  they  descended  per- 
pendicularly, and  afterwards  in  every  direction 
as  though  blown  by  a  strong  eddy  or  current 
of  wind ;  sometimes  larger  and  more  brilliant 
stars  descended,  producing  a  much  greater 
light  and  more  brilliant  appearance.  It  con- 
tinued as  above  stated  until  day-light,  or  about 
six  o'clock.  We  witnessed  the  whole  from 
the  beginning  to  the  end,  and  never  saw  any 
thing  so  splendid  and  wonderful.  This  extra- 
ordinary phenomenon  extended  all  over  the 
United  States  and  many  leagues  at  sea,  as  the 
same  was  reported  by  mariners  who  arrived 
several  days  afterwards. 


NOVEMBER.  227 

1834.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  43,  and  although  some  rain  fell  on 
six  days,  yet  there  was  much  mild  and  plea- 
sant weather,  with  a  few  days  that  were  quite 
cool  and  frosty.     The  whole  rain  which  fell 
during    the    month   was   only   three    inches. 
There  were  two  little  flurries  of  snow. 

1835.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  44,  and  it  was  a  weeping  month, 
but  she  did  not  weep  sorely  until  the  23d,  when 
she  made  a  great  ado,  and  her  tears  flowed  in  tor- 
rents during  a  whole  day  and  part  of  a  night. 
She  previously  wept  a  little  on  the  6th,  9th, 
llth  and  16th.     At  the  close  of  the  month  her 
tears  measured  three  and  a  quarter  inches.    On 
the  27th  about  two  inches  of  snow  fell.    There 
were   interspersed   through   the   month    some 
cheerful  and  pleasant  days,  and  before  it  closed 
her  tears  were  all  wiped  away. 

1836.  The    medium   temperature    of   this 
month  was  41,  and  it  was  very  boisterous,  al- 
though there  were  twelve  tolerably  pleasant 
days.     Some  rain  fell  on  eight  days,  and  there 
were  snow  squalls  on  the  24th,  25th  and  28th. 
From  the  24th  to  the  close  of  the  month,  it  was 
very  cold  arid  wintry.     The  quantity  of  rain 
which  fell  during  the  month  was  three  and  a 
quarter  inches,  and  about  one  inch  and  a  quar- 
ter of  snow.     All  the  vessels  that  arrived  dur- 
ing this  month,  reported  having   experienced 
very  severe  weather  on  the  coast,  and  the  news- 
papers published  accounts  of  several  distressing 
shipwrecks. 


228  NOVEMBER. 

1837.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  45,  and  it  produced  all  the  variety 
of  the  different  seasons.  It  commenced  with 
the  frosty  temperature  of  winter.  But  on  the 
4th  the  mildness  of  spring  succeeded,  and  that 
of  summer  soon  followed,  and  on  the  llth  the 
pleasant  and  healthy  temperature  of  autumn. 
In  this  way  the  weather  alternated  until  the 
month  closed.  During  the  night  of  the  14th 
the  wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  such  a 
snow  storm  ensued  as  January  would  not 
blush  to  own  ;  from  six  to  eight  inches  fell,  af- 
terwards it  cleared  and  remained  cold  for  four 
days.  On  the  18th  it  moderated  and  summer- 
like  weather  followed  until  the  23d,  when  a 
sudden  change  took  place,  and  the  mercury 
sunk  33  degrees  in  about  twelve  hours,  and  the 
cold  continued  to  increase  until  the  morning  of 
the  26th,  when  the  mercury  rested  at  20,  which 
is  twelve  below  the  freezing  point.  On  the 
27th  the  wind  changed  to  south,  and  the  wea- 
ther moderated.  During  the  month  the  mer- 
cury varied  from  20  to  71.  The  quantity  of 
rain  which  fell  during  the  month  was  three 
inches.  On  the  evening  of  the  14th  there  was 
a  splendid  Aurora  borealis,  which  continued 
for  more  than  an  hour,  and  a  little  before  ten 
o'clock  there  was  a  magnificent  phenomenon  a 
little  west  of  the  zenith,  of  a  deep  crimson 
colour,  which  spread  from  the  centre  like  an 
open  umbrella,  and  extended  quite  down  to  the 
horizon,  with  all  the  variegated  colours  of  a 
bright  rainbow.  Perhaps  a  more  brilliant  ap- 
pearance was  never  presented  to  the  eye  of 
man. 


NOVEMBER.  229 

1838.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  40,  and  it  commenced  cold  and 
frosty,  with  the  mercury  down  to  27  at  sunrise, 
and  during  the  day  there  were  some  snow 
squalls,  with  the  wind  at  north-east.  On  the 
2d  the  wind  changed  to  south-west,  and  the 
mercury  ran  up  to  56,  and  it  varied  from  this 
point  to  70,  at  mid-day,  until  the  9th,  when  the 
wind  changed  to  north-west,  and  the  atmos- 
phere became  cold  and  frosty  until  the  13th, 
when  the  wind  southed,  and  it  was  mild  and 
very  pleasant  until  the  17th.  From  this  time 
until  the  month  closed,  the  weather  was  cold 
and  squally,  with  an  occasional  mild  and  plea- 
sant day,  but  there  were  some  very  frosty 
nights.  On  fourteen  nights  the  mercury  was 
below  the  freezing  point.  Two  mornings  at  sun- 
rise, it  was  as  low  as  18,  which  is  14  below  the 
freezing  point ;  and  three  other  mornings  it  was 
21  and  23.  On  six  days  some  rain  fell,  making 
in  all  three  and  a  quarter  inches.  On  five  days 
about  two  inches  of  snow  fell.  It  was  a  cold, 
blustering  month,  for  November.  The  eastern 
papers  said,  snow  fell  at  different  times  in  the 
New  England  States,  in  sufficient  quantity  to 
make  good  sleighing.  As  early  as  the  31st  of 
October,  snow  fell  in  the  interior  of  New  York 
and  Pennsylvania,  to  the  depth  of  ten  inches. 
On  the  morning  of  the  25th,  at  sunrise,  when 
the  mercury  in  this  city  was  18  above  zero,  it 
was  down  to  zero  in  Connecticut;  also  at  Buf- 
falo, and  in  Vermont;  which  was  the  coldest 
weather  in  November,  that  we  can  find  on  re- 
cord, as  having  occurred  within  the  United 
States. 

30* 


230  NOVEMBER. 

1839.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  40,  and  the  weather  was  very  va- 
riable, from  mild  to  cool,  until  the  20th,  when 
the  wind  changed  to  north-west,  after  which 
the  cold  increased  so  rapidly,  that  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  21st,  the  mercury  wras  20 ;  on  the 
22d  it  was  18  ;  on  the  23d  it  was  20.  The  24th 
and  25th  were  mild  ;  but  the  26th  was  severely 
cold;  at  sunrise,  the  mercury  rested  at  15, 
which  is  17  below  the  freezing  point,  and  it 
did  not  rise  higher  than  24  at  mid-day.  The 
27th  and  28th  were  also  cold ;  but  the  29th  and 
30th  were  milder.  Some  rain  fell  on  five  days, 
making  three  and  a  half  inches;  and  some 
snow  fell  on  two  days,  about  half  an  inch  in 
all.  During  the  night  of  the  25th,  the  cold 
was  so  severe  as  to  freeze  over  the  Delaware 
from  Kensington  to  Trenton,  which  stopped  the 
steamboats  from  running  for  a  few  days.  This 
was  also  the  case  in  November  1838,  but  they 
resumed  their  trips,  and  continued  to  run  until 
the  middle  of  December.  The  drought  was  so 
severe  in  Alabama,  from  August  to  November, 
1839,  as  to  render  good  drinking  water  so 
scarce,  that  it  was  sold  for  one  dollar  per  gal- 
lon. On  the  7th,  snow  fell  in  the  interior  of 
New  York  and  through  the  New  England 
States,  and  the  Canadas,  to  the  depth  of  several 
inches.  In  some  places  there  was  good  sleigh- 
ing. So  said  the  newspapers  from  those  places. 
The  Great  Western  steamer  made  her  October 
passage  from  New  York  to  England  in  thirteen 
days,  and  her  return  passage  in  fifteen  days. 
On  the  llth  of  this  month,  the  planet  Venus 
visible  to  the  naked  eye,  during  mid-day, 


NOVEMBER.  231 

and  while  the  sun  was  shining  in  full  splendour ; 
the  atmosphere  being  clear  and  remarkably 
transparent.  It  is  generally  known,  that  Venus 
is  the  brightest  star  in  the  firmament,  and  the 
second  planet  from  the  sun,  and  when  she  and 
the  earth  are  on  the  same  side  of  the  sun,  her 
distance  from  us  is  twenty-six  millions  of  miles, 
according  to  the  calculations  of  the  best  astrono- 
mers; and  yet  at  this  immense  distance,  she 
was  seen  with  the  naked  eye  at  noon-day. 

1840.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  43,  and  it  commenced  with  what  is 
generally  called  "  Indian  Summer"  and  so  con- 
tinued until  the  8th,  when  the  wind  changed  to 
north-east,  and  rain  soon  followed.     Some  rain 
fell  on  six  days,  making  in  all  two  and  a  half 
inches.    And  some  snow  fell  on  three  days,  and 
had  not  much  of  it  melted  as  it  fell,  there  would 
probably  have  been  from  six  to  eight  inches,  and 
good  sleighing  in  the  city,  as  there  was  in  the 
interior  of  this  and  several  other  states.     There 
was  ice  on  eight  mornings.     At  the  close  of  the 
month,  the  seared  leaves  falling  from  the  trees 
and  vines,  indicated  the  approach  of  winter. 

"  The  trees  to  the  blast  have  surrender'd  their  leaves, 

The  beauties  of  Summer  have  fled ; 
The  warblers  departed  for  sunnier  climes, 
The  herbage  is  withered  and  dead !" 

1841.  The    medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  42,  and  it  produced  the  temperature 
of  the  four  seasons;  from   summer's  heat  to 
winter's  cold.     On  the  morning  of  the  1st,  the 
fog  was  so  dense  on  the  Delaware,  that  an  ob- 
ject was  scarcely  perceptible  at  a  distance  of 


232  NOVEMBER. 

twenty  feet.  At  ten  o'clock,  the  scorching-  rays 
of  the  sun  compelled  this  unpleasant  visiter  to 
flee  before  it,  and  the  mercury  ran  up  to  sum- 
mer heat.  It  continued  warm  until  the  4th, 
when  the  wind  changed  from  south  to  north- 
east, and  some  rain  fell.  During  the  month 
rain  fell  on  eleven  days,  making  in  all  four  and 
a  half  inches;  and  some  snow  fell  on  four 
days,  making  about  ten  inches,  and  there  was 
good  sleighing  for  several  days.  The  coldest 
day  was  the  30th,  when  the  mercury  was  20 
at  sunrise,  which  is  12  below  the  freezing  point, 
and  it  did  not  thaw  any  in  the  shade  during  the 
day.  Great  quantities  of  snow  fell  during  the 
month  in  Indiana,  Michigan,  Ohio,  the  interior 
of  Pennsylvania,  New  York,  and  in  several  of 
the  New  England  States. 

1842.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  38 ;  and  from  the  1st  to  the  18th,  the 
weather  was  as  mild  and  pleasant  as  Septem- 
ber. But  in  the  afternoon  of  the  18th,  the  wind 
changed  to  north-west,  and  the  mercury  sunk 
from  50  to  31,  by  ten  in  the  evening;  and  to 
24  by  the  next  morning.  The  weather  during 
the  remainder  of  the  month  was  more  like  mid- 
winter than  autumn.  Some  snow  fell  on  the 
24th,  27th,  and  30th,  making  about  four  inches; 
and  two  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 
At  the  close  of  this  month,  we  received  accounts 
of  the  severity  of  the  weather,  from  the  east, 
west,  north  and  south,  commencing  about  the 
time  it  did  in  this  city.  At  Baltimore,  Wash- 
ington, and  farther  south,  it  was  very  severe. 
The  Kentucky,  Ohio,  Michigan,  Indiana,  and 


NOVEMBER.  233 

other  newspapers,  stated  the  cold  to  be  as  great 
there,  as  any  ever  experienced  in  November. 
The  papers  from  the  interior  of  New  York, 
Vermont,  and  through  the  Canadas,  made  simi- 
lar statements,  and  that  much  snow  had  fallen, 
and  sleighing  was  excellent.  Most  terrific  gales 
were  experienced  on  the  western  and  northern 
Lakes,  and  many  vessels  wrecked,  and  lives 
lost.  Accounts  from  Detroit,  Buffalo,  Erie, 
Chicago,  Dunkirk,  &c.,  stated,  that  in  conse- 
quence of  the  wrecks  of  so  many  vessels,  the 
shores  were  lined  with  barrels  of  flour,  pork, 
corn,  wheat,  &c.,  and  many  dead  bodies  were 
washed  ashore ;  and  in  several  of  those  places 
the  mercury  was  below  zero. 

1843.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  41,  and  during  the  month  there  was 
a  good  deal  of  damp,  chilly,  wet  weather.  Rain 
fell  on  nine  days,  making  in  all  four  and  a  quar- 
ter inches.  And  some  snow  fell  on  two  days, 
but  it  melted  nearly  as  fast  as  it  fell.  On  eleven 
mornings,  between  day-break  and  sunrise,  the 
mercury  was  at  the  freezing  point,  and  below. 
On  the  28th  it  sunk  to  22,  which  was  the  cold- 
est morning  in  this  city,  during  the  month. 
There  were  but  nine  entirely  clear  days.  There 
was  not  one  severe  storm  in  this  vicinity  during 
the  month.  But  in  other  parts  of  the  United 
States,  there  were  several.  On  the  10th  of 
November,  the  weather  was  so  cold  in  Upper 
Canada,  that  there  was  good  skating  on  the  St. 
Charles  river,  and  the  sleighing  was  excellent. 
At  the  same  time  the  snow  was  two  feet  deep 
in  Vermont,  and  in  many  places  it  was  blown 


234  NOVEMBER. 

into  banks  to  the  depth  of  four  feet.  In  the  in- 
terior of  New  York  State,  and  in  several  of  the 
New  England  States,  the  snow  was  of  suffi- 
cient depth  to  make  good  sleighing.  On  the 
1st  of  the  month,  there  was  ice  in  Georgia  as 
thick  as  window-glass. 

1844.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
'month  was  44,  and  from  the  1st  to  the  19th  the 

weather  was  remarkably  mild.  The  mercury 
was  not  once  so  low  as  the  freezing  point  until 
the  morning  of  the  19th  when  it  was  32,  and 
on  four  other  mornings,  towards  the  close  of  the 
month,  it  was  from  28  to  30  in  this  city,  and 
we  neither  saw  or  heard  of  a  flake  of  snow  fall- 
ing in  this  vicinity  during  the  month.  Some 
rain  fell  on  nine  days,  making  in  all  three 
inches.  There  were  eighteen  clear  days,  and 
a  great  part  of  the  month  was  like  Indian  sum- 
mer in  this  vicinity.  But  it  was  far  otherwise 
in  some  other  parts  of  the  United  States,  and 
in  the  British  provinces.  In  Illinois,  Indiana, 
Michigan  and  in  the  interior  of  New  York, 
Vermont  and  some  of  the  New  England  states, 
we  read  accounts  in  the  newspapers  of  snow 
being  from  ten  to  twelve  inches  deep  and  good 
sleighing.  In  the  Canadas  there  was  much 
severely  cold  weather,  and  in  some  places  the 
snow  was  two  feet  iri  depth. 

1845.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  46,  and  the  weather  in  this  latitude 
was  delightfully  pleasant   during   almost  the 
whole  month.     But   in   other  latitudes   there 
were  violent   gales,  tornados,    hurricanes  and 
storms  of  various   kinds,  as  reported   in   the 


NOVEMBER.  235 

newspapers,  and  several  disasters  occurred  in 
consequence  thereof,  both  on  the  sea  and  on  the 
land.  According  to  our  notes,  there  were  fifty 
shipwrecks  on  the  American  coast,  notwith- 
standing the  weather  in  this  latitude  was  so 
mild  and  pleasant  during  almost  the  whole 
month.  From  the  24th  to  the  close  of  the 
month  the  weather  was  cooler.  A  very  little 
rain  fell  on  six  days,  making  in  all  two  and  a 
half  inches ;  and  about  half  an  inch  of  snow 
fell  on  the  29th  and  30th. 

1846.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  46,  and  during  which  there  was 
much  damp,  drizzly,  rainy  weather.  Some 
rain  fell  on  fifteen  days,  making  in  all  eight 
inches.  There  were  five  other  days  which 
were  overcast,  damp  and  chilly,  and  ten  that 
were  clear  and  cool.  The  last  five  of  these 
ten  were  quite  wintry,  and  a  little  snow  fell  on 
the  25th  and  27th,  making  in  all  about  one 
inch.  There  was  no  violent  blow  or  storm  in 
the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia  during  the  month. 
But  from  New  York  city  down  the  sound, 
and  to  the  eastward  as  far  as  Boston,  there  was 
on  the  19th  of  November  a  most  disastrous 
storm,  accompanied  by  a  terrific  gale,  which 
caused  much  injury  to  vessels  in  the  sound,  and 
also  in  the  harbours  of  Newport,  Providence 
and  Boston.  It  was  in  this  storm  that  the  aw- 
ful calamity  happened  to  the  noble  steamer 
Atlantic,  from  New  London,  Connecticut,  by 
which  she  was  wrecked  and  stove  to  pieces  on 
the  ledge  of  rocks  running  out  from  Fisher's 
Island,  (at  the  east  end  of  Long  Island)  where- 


236  NOVEMBER. 

by  forty  human  beings  were  ushered  into  eter- 
nity in  a  few  moments  ;  among  whom  was  the 
commander  of  the  Atlantic,  Capt.  Dustan,  a 
most  estimable  and  worthy  man,  in  the  meri- 
dian of  life,  and  many  other  valuable  citizens. 
On  the  same  day  there  was  a  violent  and  de- 
structive gale  and  storm  on  the  western  lakes, 
particularly  on  Lake  Erie,  during  which  seve- 
ral vessels  were  lost,  and  many  persons  perish- 
ed. On  the  26th  of  November,  snow  fell  in  the 
interior  of  New  York  to  the  depth  of  eight 
inches,  after  which  it  cleared  severely  cold,  and 
there  was  good  sleighing  from  Albany  to  Buf- 
falo, and  through  Vermont  and  Canada. 


RECORD    OF    THE    WEATHER 

IN    PHILADELPHIA, 

FOR  THE  MOXTH  OF 

DECEMBER. 

1790.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  30,  and  it  commenced  and  contin- 
ued very  cold  until  the  10th,  when  the  wind 
wested  and  four  days  of  very  mild  weather  en- 
sued, after  which  the  wind  changed  to  north- 
west and  it  became  intensely  cold,  and   the 
Delaware  closed  with  thick  ice  and  remained 
closed  until   the  18th  of  January,  when  the 
wind    changed   to   north-east   and   about   five 
inches  of  snow  fell,  and  there  was  good  sleigh- 
ing for  several   days  with  a  cold  north-west 
wind  and  a  cold  Christmas.     On  the  27th  the 
wind  changed  to  south-west,  and  the  residue  of 
the  month  was  very  mild.     About  seven  inches 
of  snow  and  two  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the 
month.    The  medium  temperature  of  the  whole 
year  was  52. 

1791.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  32.     The  first  ten  days  were  very 
cold.     On  the  night  of  the  5th  the  Delaware 
opposite  the  city  froze  over  so  hard  as  to  be 
passed  by  foot  passengers.     After  the  10th  the 

21 


238  DECEMBER. 

wind  changed  to  west,  and  a  week  of  mild  and 
pleasant  weather  followed ;  when  the  wind 
changed  to  north-east,  and  about  two  inches  of 
snow  fell  in  the  city,  but  a  great  deal  more  fell 
in  the  country.  It  cleared  cold,  and  so  con- 
tinued until  the  16th,  when  the  wind  changed 
to  south-east  and  it  rained  part  of  a  day  and 
night ;  it  afterwards  cleared  cold.  On  the  22d 
there  was  a  north-east  snow  storm,  and  the 
snow  blew  into  banks  that  blocked  up  the 
roads,  which  made  the  communication  between 
the  city  and  country  very  difficult  for  several 
days.  On  the  28th  the  wind  southed  and  some 
rain  fell,  and  the  weather  was  very  mild  until 
the  month  closed.  The  medium  temperature 
of  the  whole  year  was  52  J. 

1792.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  30,  and  it  commenced  mild,  over- 
cast and  drizzly.     On  the  3d  it  cleared  cold ; 
on  the  6th  it  snowed,  and  it  cleared  mild  with 
a  westerly   wind.      On   the    12th    the   wind 
changed  to  east,  and  several  inches  of  snow 
fell,  which  made  good  sleighing  until  the  19th, 
when  some  rain  fell,  which  made  very  sloppy 
and  unpleasant  travelling.     On  the  24th  the 
wind  changed  to  north-west,  and  it  was  very 
cold  until   the   month   closed.     The   medium 
temperature  of  the  whole  year  was  52. 

1793.  The    medium    temperature    of   this 
month  was  30.     The  first  week  was  cold  and 
windy ;  but  from  the  7th  to  the  L5th,  it  was 
generally  mild,  and  some  rain  fell.     On  the 
16th  the  wind  changed  to  north-east,  and  it 
snowed  part  of  the  17th  and  18th,  and  there 


DECEMBER.  239 

was  good  sleighing  until  the  27th,  when  it 
rained  and  cleared  mild,  and  thus  the  month 
ended.  From  six  to  eight  inches  of  snow,  and 
about  two  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 
The  medium  temperature  of  the  whole  year 
was  53. 

1794.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  31;  and  it  commenced  cool  and 
pleasant,  with  wind  varying  from  north-west  to 
west,  and  south-west,  but  on  the  9th  it  changed 
to  north-east,  and   some  rain  fell,  mixed  with 
flakes  of  snow.     On  the  llth  it  cleared  cold 
and  frosty,  with  the  wind  at  north-west.     On 
the  16th  the  wind  easted,  and  a  few  inches  of 
snow  fell,  and  it  again  cleared  cold ;  but  on  the 
23d  the  wind  wested,  and   the  weather  was 
mild  until  the  27th,  when  the  wind  changed  to 
north-east,  and  a  little  more  snow  fell,  and  the 
weather  remained   unsettled  until  the  month 
closed.    The  medium  temperature  of  the  whole 
year  was  50. 

1795.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  30.     During  which  the  weather 
was  very  changeable,  from  very  mild  and  plea- 
sant to  very  boisterous  and  stormy,  with  both 
snow  and  rain;  and  then  it  cleared  very  cold, 
with  a  brisk  north-west  wind.     Thus  the  wea- 
ther kept  vascilating  during  the  whole  month. 
There  were  a  few  days  of  sleighing  on  two  oc- 
casions. The  medium  temperature  of  the  whole 
year  was  51. 

1796.  The    medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  32 ;  it  commenced  mild  and  plea- 


240  DECEMBER. 

sant.  But  the  pleasant  weather  was  followed 
on  the  6th  by  a  snow  storm,  which  produced  a 
week  of  very  good  sleighing.  It  then  modera- 
ted, and  some  rain  fell,  which  m'ade  the  snow 
to  disappear.  After  which,  from  the  18th  to 
the  24th,  it  was  cool,  but  very  pleasant.  On 
the  25th,  the  wind  changed  to  north-east,  and 
some  snow  fell,  and  the  weather  was  very  va- 
riable the  remainder  of  the  month.  The  me- 
dium temperature  of  the  whole  year  was  51 J. 

1797.  The    medium     temperature    of  this 
month  was  30 ;  and  it  produced  some  severely 
cold  days,  as  well  as  some  that  were  mild  and 
pleasant.     There  were  also  some  snow  storms 
and  snow  squalls.     But  very  little  rain  fell  dur- 
ing  the   month.     There  was  more   sleighing 
than  usual.     Christmas  was  mild  and  pleasant. 
There  were  several    marine  disasters  on  the 
coast.     The  medium  temperature  of  the  whole 
year  was  51. 

1798.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  28,  and  it  commenced  clear  and 
cold  with  the  wind  at  north-west.    After  which 
it  changed  to  west  and  south-west,  and  several 
days  of  mild  weather  ensued.     On  the   13th 
it  suddenly  changed  to  north-east,  and  several 
inches  of  snow  fell,  which  blew  into  banks  and 
some  very  cold  days  followed.     On  the  20th 
the  wind  wested,  and  it  was  milder  for  a  few 
days ;  but  the  last  week  in  the  month  was  very 
cold.     The  medium  temperature  of  the  whole 
year  was  51. 

1799.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 


DECEMBER.  241 

month  was  29.  It  commenced  clear  and  cold 
with  the  wind  at  north-west,  and  so  continued 
for  nearly  a  week,  when  the  wind  changed  to 
north-east,  and  both  rain  and  snow  followed ; 
the  wind  then  wested  and  several  pleasant 
days  ensued.  After  which  it  changed  to  north- 
east and  there  was  more  falling  weather,  both 
of  snow  and  rain.  The  remainder  of  the  month 
was  very  variable,  being  sometimes  very  cold 
and  then  milder.  The  medium  temperature  of 
the  whole  year  was  51. 

December  14,  1799,  George  Washington,  the 
hero,  the  patriot,  the  sage,  breathed  his  last, 
aged  68,  after  twenty-four  hours  illness  of  the 
quinsy;  after  which  the  whole  country  was 
in  mourning. 

1800.  The   medium   temperature   of   this 
month  was  30,  and  it  was  very  variable  until 
the  15th,  being  sometimes  very  cold,  and  then 
very  mild  and  cloudy.     From  the  16th  to  the 
close  of  the  month  there  was  much  easterly, 
damp  weather,  and  a  little  snow  and  much  rain 
fell,  and  some  very  chilly  and  unpleasant  days, 
with  a  few  that  were  clear  and  mild.     There 
was  some  very  boisterous  weather  on  the  sea 
coast,  which  occasioned  many  marine  disasters. 
The  medium  temperature  of  the  whole  year 
was  51 1. 

1801.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  34,  during  which  there  was  much 
mild  and  pleasant  weather.     Considerable  rain, 
but  very  little  snow  fell  during  the  month  in 
this  vicinity.     There  were  a  few  cold  days,  but 

21* 


242  DECEMBER. 

none  that  were  severe.     The  medium  tempera- 
ture of  the  whole  year  was  52. 

1802.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  28,  and  there  was  a  few  severely 
cold  days  in  which  the  mercury  sunk  to  10  and 
12  fcbove  zero  in  this  city,  but  at  Albany  and 
New  Haven  it  sunk  down  to  zero.     It  is  often 
the  case  that  one  extreme  follows  another.  The 
wind  afterwards  changed  to  south-west  and  the 
mercury  ran  up  to  64,  and  several  mild  days 
followed  and  some  rain  fell.     The  wind  then 
changed  to  north-west,  and  a  week  of  very  cold 
weather   ensued,    after   which   it   changed    to 
north-east,  and  there  was  a  violent  snow  storm. 
If  the  snow  had  fallen  on  a  level  it  would  have 
been  a  foot  deep,  but  it  blew  into  banks  of  con- 
siderable height  and  obstructed  the  roads  very 
much.     During  the  storm  several  marine  dis- 
asters occurred  on  the  coast.     The  storm  was 
very  severe  at  the  north  and  east  and  snow  fell 
to  a  great  depth  in  many  places.    The  medium 
temperature  of  the  whole  year  was  53 \.     On 
the  24th  there  was  a  great  fire  in  Portsmouth, 
N.  H. ;  about  120  houses  and  other  buildings 
were  destroyed. 

1803.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  30.      There  was  no   very  severe 
weather  during  the  month ;  the  mercury  varied 
from  22  to  60.     Of  course  there  were   some 
very  mild  days.     Rain  fell  on  several  days,  but 
very  little  snow  fell  during  the  month  in  this 
vicinity.     There  was  no  severe  storm  or  blow. 
The  wind  changed  several  times  from  north  to 
south-west,  and  to  north-east.     On  the  whole, 


NOVEMBER.  243 

it  was  a  pleasant  December  month.     The  me- 
dium temperature  of  the  whole  year  was  52. 

1804.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  34,  and  it  produced  much  mild  and 
pleasant  weather,  notwithstanding  there  were 
a  few  severely  cold  days,  with  mercury  at  sun- 
rise as  low  as  12  above  zero,  but  at  rnid-day  it 
ran  up  to  34,  and  once  during  the  month  it  ran 
up  to  56.     A  little  rain  fell  on  several  days  and 
some  snow  on  two  days.     The  medium  tem- 
perature of  the  whole  year  was  51.     On  the 
18th  forty  houses  and  stores  were  burnt  in  New 
York,   including   the   Old    Coffee  House,  the 
Morning  Chronicle  office,  &c. 

1805.  The    medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  30.     The  weather  was  alternate- 
ly very  cold   and   boisterous   and    very  mild. 
On  the  28th  and  29th  there  was  a  most  violent 
and  destructive  storm,  both  on  the  sea  and  land. 
Several  vessels  stove  and  sunk  at  the  wharves, 
and  immense  damage  was  done  in  this  city,  as 
well   as  in  New   York,  Boston,   &c.     There 
were  many  shipwrecks  on  the  coast  and  many 
lives  lost.     It  was  a  month  of  disasters  that  are 
not  forgotten  by  many  now  living.     The  me- 
dium temperature  of  the  whole  year  was  51 J. 

1806.  The    medium    temperature    of   this 
month  was  32,  and  during  which  there  was 
much  mild  and  pleasant  weather.     The  mer- 
cury did  not  sink  below  24,  nor  rise  above  58 
during   the   month.      There   was    no    violent 
storm  either  of  rain  or  snow  in  this  vicinity 
during  the  month.     About  two  inches  of  snow 


244  DECEMBER. 

and  three  inches  of  rain  fell.  There  was  sleigh- 
ing in  the  interior  of  New  York,  and  through 
the  New  England  states.  The  medium  tem- 
perature of  the  whole  year  was  51  f . 

1807.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  32 ;  and  the  weather  was  alternate- 
ly very  cold  and  very  mild.     The  coldest  day 
was  14  above  zero  at  sunrise.     On  one  day, 
about  three  inches  of  snow  fell,  and  on  another 
day  about  six  inches,  which  made  good  sleigh- 
ing. Three  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 
The  medium  temperature  of  the  whole  year 
was  52. 

1808.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  30;   and  it  produced  a  few  very 
cold  days,  and  two  moderate  snow  storms ;  in 
each  of  which  about  three  inches  of  snow^  fell ; 
and  during  the  month,  two  and  a  half  inches 
of  rain.     There  were  ten  days  of  mild  and  plea- 
sant weather.     The  residue  of  the  month,  was 
usual  winter-like  weather.  There  was  no  severe 
storm  during  the  month  in  this  vicinity.     The 
medium  temperature  of  the  whole  year  was  52. 

1809.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  29,  and  it  was  alternately  cold  and 
mild.     Some  snow  fell  on  four  days,  making  in 
all  about  five  inches ;  and  about  two  inches  of 
rain  fell.     It  was  a  pleasant  winter  month  in 
this  latitude.      The   eastern   papers   mention 
some  boisterous  and  severe  weather,  and  a  few 
marine  disasters.    The  temperature  of  the  whole 
year  was  51. 

1810.  The   medium   temperature    of  this 


DECEMBER.  245 

month  was  28.  During  which  there  was  much 
severely  cold,  and  some  boisterous  weather, 
which  was  very  hard  on  the  poor  mariners  on 
the  coast;  as  there  were  several  shipwrecks, 
and  lives  lost.  Some  snow  fell  on  five  days. 
On  one  of  those  days,  the  storm  was  very  se- 
vere, and  the  wind  blew  very  hard  from  the 
north-east.  At  the  north  and  east,  a  good  deal 
of  snow  fell  during  this  month.  The  medium 
temperature  of  the  whole  year  was  51. 

1811.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  30.    There  was  much  very  severely 
cold  weather  during  this  month ;  and  some  that 
was  stormy  and  boisterous,  both  on  the  sea  and 
land ;  and  there  were  several  distressing  ship- 
wrecks and  loss  of  lives.     Considerable  snow 
fell,  but  rain  generally  followed  in  this  vicinity. 
There  were  only  a  few  mild  and  pleasant  days. 
The  medium  temperature  of  the  whole  year 
was  52.     On  the  26th  of  this  month,  the  Thea- 
tre at  'Richmond,  Virginia,  was  burnt  during 
a  theatrical  performance,  and  123  persons  pe- 
rished in  the  flames. 

1812.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  28 ;  and  a  great  proportion  of  this 
month  was  steady,  cold  and  clear  weather.    Not 
much  snow  or  rain  fell  in  this  vicinity.    North- 
west winds  prevailed  more  than  half  the  month; 
and  there  Were  some  severely  cold  days,  and 
but  few  which   could   be   denominated    mild. 
There  were  two  snow  storms,  neither  of  which 
were  very  boisterous  in  this  vicinity ;  but  at 
the  north  and  east,  they  were  very  severe.    The 
medium  temperature  of  the  whole  year  was  51. 


246  DECEMBER. 

1813.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  28 ;  and  snow  fell  on  several  days, 
which  made  good  sleighing.     During  one  of 
the  snowy  days,  the  wind  blew  very  hard  at 
north-east,  and  there  were  some  marine  disas- 
ters on  the  coast.      Very  little  rain  fell,  and 
there  were  but  few  mild  days.     The  medium 
temperature  of  the  whole  year  was  50 1. 

1814.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  30 ;   and  it  commenced  and  con- 
tinued mild  and  pleasant  until  the  10th,  after 
which  some  stormy  weather  followed,  of  both 
snow  and  rain,  when  it  afterwards  cleared  cold, 
and  so  continued  until  the  21st.     The  remain- 
der of  the  month  was  variable,  sometimes  cold, 
and  at  others  mild  and  very  pleasant.     The 
medium  temperature  of  the  whole  year  was  51. 

1815.  The    medium    temperature   of  this 
month  was  26 ;  and  there  was  more  intensely 
cold  weather  than  in  any  December  month  for 
twenty-five  years.    On  three  mornings,  between 
break  of  day  and  sunrise,  the  mercury  was  from 
zero  to  4  above ;   and  on  six  mornings,  from 
10  to  15  above.     On  six  other  mornings,  from 
18  to  24 ;  and  only  on  three  mornings,  was  the 
mercury  above  the  freezing  point.    A  good  deal 
of  snow  fell  from  east  to  west,  and  north  to 
south;  but  very  little  rain.      The  wind  was 
principally  from  the  north-west  and  north,  and 
it  sometimes  blew  very  violently.     Fuel  was 
scarce,  and  very  high.     The  medium  tempera- 
ture of  the  whole  year  was  51 J. 

1816.  The    medium    temperature   of   this 


DECEMBER.  247 

month  was  32,  and  there  were  fourteen  mild 
and  pleasant  days  in  the  month.  During  the 
other  seventeen  days  the  weather  was  very  va- 
riable. About  six  inches  of  snow  and  three 
inches  of  rain  fell.  The  temperature  of  the 
whole  year  was  only  49 ;  it  being  the  coldest 
year  we  have  on  our  record.  Although  there 
was  no  uncommonly  cold  weather  during  the 
three  winter  months,  yet  there  was  ice  during 
every  month  in  the  year,  not  excepting  June, 
July  and  August.  There  was  scarcely  a  vege- 
table came  to  perfection  north  and  east  of  the 
Potomac.  The  cold  weather  during  the  sum- 
mer, not  only  extended  through  America,  but 
throughout  Europe.  One  of  the  most  cele- 
brated meteorologists  in  England,  on  reviewing 
the  weather  of  the  year,  said,  "it  would  ever 
be  remembered  that  1816  was  a  year  in  which 
there  was  no  summer,  and  the  temperature  of 
the  year  (as  a  whole)  was  the  lowest  ever 
known."  It  was  also  the  coldest  summer  ever 
known  in  the  West  Indies  and  in  Africa.  The 
medium  temperature  of  the  whole  year  in 
Philadelphia  was  only  49. 

1817.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  31,  and  it  was  a  month  of  very 
pleasant  weather.     It  is  true  there  were  a  few 
very  cold  days,  and  a  little  falling  weather. 
The  medium  temperature  of  the  whole  year 
was  52J. 

1818.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  34,  and  there  were  two  weeks  of 
very  mild  and  pleasant  weather.     The  remain- 
der of  the  month  was  very  cold,  and  sometimes 


248  DECEMBER. 

very  windy  and  stormy.  Snow  fell  on  three 
days,  making  in  all  six  or  seven  inches,  and 
two  inches  of  rain.  The  medium  temperature 
of  the  whole  year  was  53. 

1819.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  26,  and  it  produced  a  great  deal  of 
severely  cold  and  boisterous  weather.     Some 
snow  fell  on  seven  days ;  on  two  of  these  days 
the  wind  blew  very  hard  from  the  north-east, 
and  great  anxiety  was  felt  for  the  shipping  on 
the  coast,  and  a  few  days  brought  accounts  that 
several  vessels  had  been  wrecked  between  the 
coast  of  Virginia  and  Maine.     The  range  of  the 
mercury  between  daybreak  and  sunrise  during 
the  month  was  from  6  above  zero  to  28.     On 
two  mornings  it  was  6 ;    on  eight   mornings 
from  10  to  16  ;  and  on  fourteen,  it  was  from  18 
to  28.     A  number  of  mid-days  were  quite  mild 
and   pleasant.     The  medium   temperature   of 
the  whole  year  was  51.    The  smallest  quantity 
of  rain  fell  during  this  year  that  wre  have  on 
our  record,  viz.  23J  inches.     In  1841,  55J  fell. 

1820.  The   medium   temperature  of    this 
month  was  28,  and  it  commenced  and  contin- 
ued very  cold,  (with  the  exception  of  a  few 
days)  until  the   15th,  and  some  snow  fell  on 
three  days.     From  the  15th  to  the  end  of  the 
month,  the  weather  was  very  variable ;  some- 
times mild  and  pleasant,  and  at  others,  cloudy, 
windy  and  cold,  with  some  snow.     Very  little 
rain  fell  during  the  month.     The  medium  tem- 
perature of  the  whole  year  was  51 J. 

1821.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 


DECEMBER.  249 

month  was  26,  and  it  commenced  intensely  cold, 
and  soon  closed  up  the  Schuylkill  and  Dela- 
ware. And  there  was  scarcely  a  day  during 
the  whole  month  which  could  be  called  mild. 
A  great  deal  of  snow  fell  from  Virginia  to  the 
extreme  part  of  Maine,  and  through  the  British 
provinces.  Also,  through,  the  western  coun- 
try. A  great  many  marine  disasters  occurred, 
and  there  was  great  distress  and  suffering  on 
the  coast;  also,  among  the  poor,  on  the  land, 
on  account  of  the  scarcity  and  high  price  of 
fuel.  The  medium  temperature  of  the  whole 
year  was  51 J. 

1822.  The    medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  30;  and  the   weather  during  the 
month  was  quite  variable ;  sometimes  very  cold, 
and  at  others  quite  mild.     Some  snow  fell  on 
three  days,  but  not  to  much  depth,  in  this  vi- 
cinity.    A  little  rain  also  fell  on  three  days, 
about  two  inches  in  all.     The  medium  tempe- 
rature of  the  whole  year  was  53. 

1823.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  36,  and  this  was  the  mildest  De- 
cember month  for  many  years.     The  weather 
until  the  20th  Was  almost  as  mild  as  some  Oc- 
tober months.     The  mercury  ran  up  to  60  and 
above,  on  several  days,  between  twelve  and  two 
o'clock ;  and  there  were  but  few  frosty  nights, 
until  the  20th.     On  the  evening  of  the  20th,  a 
great  change  took  place,  and  the  weather  be- 
came very  cold,   and    so   continued  until  the 
month  closed.     During  the  fourth  week,  snow 
fell  on  two  days,  which  made  excellent  sleigh- 
ing in  many  places,  particularly  at  the  north 

22 


250  DECEMBER. 

and  east.     The  temperature  of  the  whole  year 
was  53 1. 

1824.  The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  34 ;  and  there  was  much  mild  and 
pleasant  weather.     Very  little  snow  fell  during 
the  month.     After  the  middle  of  the  month, 
there  were  some  cold  days,  and  the  weather 
was  very  variable  until  the  month  closed.    The 
medium  temperature  of  the  whole  year  was  53|. 

1825.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  34.     The  weather  during  the  month 
was  very  similar  to  that  of  the  corresponding 
month  of  last  year.    There  wrere  some  intensely 
cold  days,  and  others  that  were  mild  and  plea- 
sant.    About  three  inches  of  snow,  and  three 
and  a  half  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month. 
The  medium  temperature  of  the  whole  year 
was  54. 

1826.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  37,  and  there  was  a  very  unusual 
number  of  very  fine,  mild,  and  pleasant  days 
during  the  month.     A  little  rain  fell  on  three 
days,  making  in  all  one  and  a  quarter  inches; 
and  a  few  flakes  of  snow  fell  on  three  days. 
The  medium  temperature  of  the  whole  year 
was  53. 

1827.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  36,  and  the  weather  was  exceeding- 
ly variable,  being  very  mild  and  very  cold  on 
several  days.     Some  rain  or  snow  fell  on  six 
days,  making  in  all  about  three  and  a  quarter 
inches  of  rain,  and  the  same  quantity  of  snow. 
There  were  several  cloudy  and  windy  clays, 


DECEMBER.  251 

and  on  the  whole,  the  weather  was  very  un- 
comfortahle  a  great  part  of  the  month.  The 
medium  temperature  of  the  whole  year  was  50. 

1828.  The   medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  38,  and  a  very  mild  month  it  was. 
On  several  days  the  mercury  rose  to  60  at  mid- 
day, and  there  were  only  a  few  nights  in  which 
there  was  any  frost.     The  mornings  were  often 
foggy,  the  same  as  dog-days,  and  a  warm,  sunny 
day  would   ensue.     A  little   rain  fell  on  two 
days,  making  one  quarter  of  an  inch  only.    The 
medium  temperature  of  the  whole  year  was  54. 

1829.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  34;  and  there  were  ten  very  mild  days 
and  six  that  were  very  cold.     Some  rain  and  a 
little  snow  fell  on  three  days,  making  one  and 
a  half  inches  of  rain.     The  remaining  days  in 
the  month  were  partly  clear  and  partly  cloudy, 
but  mild  for  a  winter  month.     The  medium 
temperature  of  the  whole  year  was  53. 

1830.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month   was   32 f,    and   there  was   much  cool, 
damp,   cloudy,  wet  weather,  with  some  days 
that  were  clear,  cold  "and  windy,  and  others 
that  were  mild  and  very  pleasant.     Some  rain 
or  snow  fell  on  seven  days,  making  five  inches 
of  rain,  and  about  three  of  snow.     The  medium 
temperature  of  the  whole  year  was  52|. 

1831.  The   medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  30,  and  it  produced  a  great  deal  of 
intensely   cold,  dry  weather.     On  three  days 
only,  there  was  a  little  snow  and  rain,  making 
in  all  one  inch  of  each.    There  were  seven  days 


252  DECEMBER. 

that  were  tolerably  mild  and  pleasant.  But 
cool  northerly  winds  prevailed  a  great  part  of 
the  month.  The  medium  temperature  of  the 
whole  year  was  53. 

1832.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  25 ;  and  there  was  much  very  cold 
weather.  Snow  and  rain  fell  on  six  days,  mak- 
ing five  inches  of  rain  and  six  inches  of  snow. 
There  was  more  severely  cold  weather  during 
this  month,  than  in  any  corresponding  month 
since  1821.  The  mild  days  which  occurred, 
were  few  and  far  between.  The  medium  tem- 
perature of  the  whole  year  was  51. 

1833  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  32,  and  the  weather  was  very  varia- 
ble during  the  whole  month.  There  were  seve- 
ral very  mild  and  pleasant  days,  and  some  that 
were  very  cold.  Rain  or  snow,  (and  sometimes 
both,)  fell  on  seven  days,  making  five  and  three 
quarter  inches  of  rain,  and  about  four  inches  of 
snow  The  medium  temperature  of  the  whole 
year  was  52|. 

1834.  The    medium   temperature    of    this 
month  was  33 ;  and  it  produced  much  mild,  as 
well  as  some  very  cold   weather.     Some  rain 
fell  on  the  2d,  6th  and  24th,  making  in  all  two 
and  a  quarter  inches.     A   little  snow  fell  on 
three  days,  but  on  the  29th  there  was  quite  a 
snow  storm.     About  four  inches  fell  during  the 
whole  month.    The  medium  temperature  of  the 
whole  year  was  52 J. 

1835.  The   medium   temperature   of    this 
month  was  28 ;  and  it  was  a  cold  stormy  month. 


D  E  C  E  M  B  E  R.  253 

Both  snow  and  rain  fell  on  several  days/and 
northerly  and  easterly  winds  prevailed  very 
much ;  although  there  were  a  few  very  plea- 
sant days,  with  the  wind  westerly.  Two  and 
a  half  inches  of  rain,  and'  about  four  inches  of 
snow  fell.  Several  marine  disasters  occurred 
on  the  coast.  The  medium  temperature  of  the 
whole  year  was  52. 

1836.  The    medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  33 ;    and  it  produced  twenty-two 
entirely  clear  and   pleasant  days;    some  that 
were  very  mild^and  others  that  were  very  cold. 
On  three  days  "the  mercury  ranged  from  50  to 
54  at  mid-day ;  and  on  eleven  days,  from  40  to 
47.     On  one  morning  at  sunrise,  the  mercury 
wras  only  6  above  zero,  and  on  one  other  12 
above.     On  nine  mornings,  from  17  to  21  above 
zero ;  and  on  ten  mornings  from  23  to  32.    The 
remainder  of  the  month  was  mild.    On  six  days 
some  rain  fell,  making  in  all  four  inches ;  and 
about  a  quarter  of  an  inch  of  snow  fell.     Dur- 
ing the  night  of  the  17th,  and  morning  of  the 
18th,  there  was  a  violent  gale  of  wind,  (accom- 
panied with  rain,)  which  did  considerable  dam- 
age to  the  shipping  at  the  wharves,  &c.     And 
during  the  night  and  morning  of  the  21st,  there 
was  a  similar  storm,  attended  with  like  conse- 
quences.     The   medium   temperature   of  the 
whole  year  was  50 J. 

1837.  The   medium    temperature    of    this 
month  was  32,  and  it  was  a  very  pleasant  month. 
There  were  twenty-two  clear  days,  and  there 
was  not  a  storm  of  any  kind,  (in  this  vicinity,) 
during  the  whole  month,  and  not  one  severely 


254  I)  E  G  E  M  B  K  R. 

cold  day.  About  two  inches  of  snow  fell  on  one 
day,  and  a  few  flakes  on  two  other  days.  A 
little  rain  fell  on  three  days,  making  in  all  one 
inch  and  one-tenth.  The  warmest  day  was  the 
2d,  when  the  mercury  rose  to  65  at  mid-day  ; 
and  the  coldest  was  the  23d,  when  the  mercury 
was  19  at  sunrise,  but  it  rose  to  32  at  mid-day. 
Notwithstanding  the  weather  was  so  remarka- 
bly fine  in  this  latitude,  -from  August  to  the 
close  of  the  year,  it  was  far  otherwise  in  many 
other  latitudes,  as  our  accounts  from  various 
quarters  testified.  The  medium  temperature 
of  the  whole  year  was  52|. 

1838.  The   medium   temperature    of   this 
month  was  29,  and  the  weather  was  exceeding- 
ly variable  during  the  whole  month.     A  little 
snow  fell  on  six  days,  making  about  five  inches, 
and  some  rain  fell  on  three  days,  making  a  frac- 
tion over  one  inch.     There  were  ten  clear  days, 
and  twelve  cloudy  or  overcast.     On  twenty- 
four  mornings  at  sunrise,  the  mercury  was  be- 
low the  freezing  point.     On  one  morning  it  was 
only  8,  and  on  another  9  above  zero.     On  two 
mornings  it  was  12,  on  three  15,  and  on  three 
from  18  to  20  above  zero.     There  were  twelve 
days  in  which  it  did  not  rise  to  32,  even  at  mid- 
day.    The  medium  temperature  of  the  whole 
year  was  53. 

1839.  The   medium    temperature   of   this 
month  was  34;  and  it  was  a  weeping  month. 
Some  rain  fell  on  fifteen  days,  making  in  all 
six  and  a  quarter  inches,  and  some  snow  fell 
on  seven  days,   making   in   all   about  twelve 
inches,  in  this  city;  but  in  the  country  it  fell 


DECEMBER.  255 

to  a  much  greater  depth.     There  were  only 
seven  entirely  clear  days  during  the  month. 
The  newspapers  from  various  parts  of  the  coun- 
try said,    that   more  snow  had   fallen  in  this 
month,  than  in  any  December  month  for  thirty 
years.     The  snow,  from  this  city  to  Baltimore 
and  Washington,   was  from  18   to  20  inches 
deep,  and  the  roads  were  impassable  for  two 
days,  after  the  violent  snow  storm  of  the  22d 
and  23d.     The   roads  between  this  city  and 
Lancaster  were  so  blocked  up,  that  cars  and 
stages  were  stopped  for  three  days,  and  no  mail 
was  received  from  Pittsburgh,  Erie,  &c.,  for 
nearly  two  weeks.     The  snow  was  also  very 
deep  in  the  interior  of  New  York  State,  and  in 
all  the  western,  northern  and  eastern  States. 
The  gale  and  storm  of  the  22d  and  23d,  was 
awfully  severe  and  destructive  from  the  Chesa- 
peake to  the  extreme  part  of  the  State  of  Maine, 
and  many  vessels  and  valuable  lives  were  lost. 
The  shipping  suffered  very  much  in  the  har- 
bours of  New  York,  Rhode  Island,  Boston,  and 
to  the  extreme  part  of  Maine.     Out  of  sixty 
vessels  which  put  into  Gloucester,  (Cape-Ann,) 
for  a  harbour,  twenty-two  were  totally  lost,  with 
almost  every  one  of  their  crews;  and  the  re- 
mainder were  all  dismasted  and  otherwise  crip- 
pled.    About  fifty  poor  sailors  thus  perished. 
Twenty  of  their  dead  bodies  were  found  wash- 
ed ashore  the  next  morning,  and  several  more 
afterwards.     On  the  20th  and  21st,  the  Dela- 
ware closed  from  Kensington  to  Trenton.    The 
medium  temperature  of  the  whole  year  was  52. 

1840.     The   medium    temperature   of   this 


256  D  E  C  E  M  B  E  R. 

month  was  30 ;  and  it  was  a  cold  and  stormy 
month.  The  first  three  days  were  mild  and 
pleasant,  but  on  the  morning  of  the  4th  it  chan- 
ged to  north-east,  and  a  snow  storm  commenced 
in  the  P.  M.,  which  continued  until  the  even- 
ing of  the  6th,  during  which  about  fifteen 
inches  of  snow  fell  in  this  city,  but  much  more 
fell  in  the  country.  This  storm  was  very  vio- 
lent, from  Virginia  to  Maine,  and  considerable 
damage  was  sustained  by  the  shipping,  in  ports 
and  on  the  coast.  The  storm  was  also  very 
violent  on  the  Lakes,  and  down  through  the 
Canadas.  Also  through  all  the  western  coun- 
try. While  it  was  snowing  from  Virginia  to 
Maine,  it  was  raining  in  torrents  farther  south. 
Hail  fell  to  the  depth  of  several  inches,  in  Nor- 
folk and  Richmond.  After  the  storm  ceased, 
it  cleared  very  cold,  with  the  mercury  at  18, 
which  is  14  below  the  freezing  point;  and 
sleighing  was  good  from  Ohio  to  Maine,  for  two 
weeks.  Newspapers  from  the  eastern  States, 
gave  an  account  of  another  violent  snow  storm 
there,  on  the  22d,  in  which  the  snow  blew  into 
banks  from  six  to  eight  feet  high.  And  still 
another  on  the  26th.  On  those  days  a  very 
little  snow  and  rain  fell  in  Philadelphia  and 
vicinity.  Snow  fell  in  this  city  on  ten  days, 
making  in  all  about  two  feet.  And  some  rain 
fell  on  four  days,  making  three  and  a  half 
inches.  The  Delaware  closed  from  Kensing- 
ton to  Trenton,  on  the  19th.  The  medium 
temperature  of  the  wrhole  year  \vas  52  j. 

1841.     The    medium    temperature   of    this 
month  was  35.     It  commenced  with  the  mer- 


DECEMBER.  257 

cury  at  19,  and  continued  cold  until  the  9th, 
when  the  wind  changed  from  north  to  south- 
west and  south,  and  the  weather  was  mild  until 
the  17th.  The  wind  then  changed  to  north- 
east, and  it  rained,  hailed,  and  snowed.  On 
the  18th  it  cleared  cold  with  a  north-wind,  and 
the  mercury  at  20.  The  cold  increased  until 
the  22d,  when  at  sunrise,  it  was  13  above  zero, 
and  did  not  rise  above  22  during  the  day.  The 
weather  continued  cold  until  the  month  closed. 
On  sixteen  mornings  at  sunrise,  it  was  below 
the  freezing  point.  On  the  morning  of  the  22d, 
the  mercury  was  2  below  zero,  at  Buffalo,  Al- 
bany, and  Erie;  also  in  Vermont;  and  in  the 
Canadas  from  10  to  15  below.  During  the 
rain  storm  in  this  city  on  the  23d,  the  Schuyl- 
kill  river,  opposite  the  city,  rose  from  eight  to 
nine  feet  above  high  water-mark,  and  complete- 
ly covered  the  wharves.  The  freshet  drifted 
down  the  Schuylkill  river  a  great  quantity  of 
wood  and  lumber.  The  quantity  of  rain  which 
fell  in  this  city  during  the  month  was  six 
inches.  All  the  snow  which  fell,  did  not  ex- 
ceed two  inches,  in  this  vicinity.  The  medium 
temperature  of  the  whole  year  was  51 J.  The 
greatest  quantity  of  rain  fell  during  this  year 
that  we  have  on  our  record ;  viz.  fifty -five  and 
a  half  inches.  The  smallest  quantity  in  one 
year  was  in  1819,  when  only  twenty- three  and 
a  quarter  inches  fell. 

1842.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  32;  and  it  commenced  with  the 
mercury  at  27  at  sunrise,  and  continued  about 
this  temperature,  (with  the  exception  of  four 


258  DECEMBER. 

mornings,)  until  the  23d,  when  the  wind  chan- 
ged from  west  to  north-west,  and  the  mercury 
sunk  from  36  to  18,  and  on  the  morning  of  the 
24th  to  14  above  zero,  and  it  continued  cold 
until  the  month  closed.  There  was  but  little 
falling  weather  during  the  month,  in  this  city. 
On  the  8th  there  was  a  moderate  north-east  rain 
storm,  and  on  the  21st  another;  and  a  very  little 
rain  fell  on  a  few  other  days,  making  three  and 
a  half  inches ;  and  about  four  inches  of  snow 
fell.  The  cold  during  a  part  of  the  month,  was 
very  severe  in  many  parts  of  the  country,  and 
a  great  quantity  of  snow  fell  in  the  west,  the 
north  and  the  east.  But  in  this  vicinity,  there 
was  but  very  little  stormy  weather.  The  me- 
dium temperature  of  the  whole  year  was  52  J. 

By  the  following  we  see  how  very  different 
the  weather  is  in  different  latitudes,  and  some- 
times even  in  the  same  latitude.  For  instance, 
in  Philadelphia  and  vicinity  we  had  but  very 
little  severely  cold  or  stormy  weather  during 
the  two  previous  months,  while  in  many  parts 
of  the  western,  northern  and  eastern  states 
there  was  excessively  cold,  stormy  and  tem- 
pestuous weather.  In  several  places  beyond 
the  Ohio  river,  snow  fell  to  the  depth  of  two 
feet,  and  there  were  several  weeks  of  excellent 
sleighing  in  November.  It  was  precisely  the 
same  in  the  interior  of  Pennsylvania,  New 
York,  Connecticut,  Massachusetts  and  all  the 
New  England  States.  In  Illinois,  as  early  as 
the  29th  of  November,  the  mercury  sunk  to  14 
degrees  below  zero,  and  in  Belfast,  (Maine,)  to 
20  below,  (so  said  the  newspapers  from  those 
places,)  while  in  Philadelphia  on  the  same 


DECEMBER.  259 

morning  at  sunrise,  the  mercury  was  18  above 
zero  ;  being  a  difference  of  32  degrees  between 
Illinois  and  this  city,  and  between  Belfast  and 
Philadelphia  a  difference  of  38  degrees ;  i.  e.  it 
was  38  degrees  colder  at  Belfast  than  in  Phila- 
delphia. And  as  it  respects  a  snow  storm 
which  commenced  in  this  city  at  ten  o'clock 
on  the  morning  of  the  30th  of  November,  (and 
which  was  comparatively  mild  and  moderate 
here)  it  did  not  commence  in  New  York  until 
past  twelve  o'clock,  and  in  Boston  not  until 
three  P.  M.,  where  it  was  so  violent,  (said  the 
papers)  from  New  York  to  the  extreme  part  of 
Maine,  that  the  whole  coast  from  Boston  to  the 
bay  of  Funda,  was  lined  with  wrecks  of  vessels. 
It  was  during  this  storm  that  the  beautiful 
barque  Isadore,  (which  left  Boston  before  the 
storm  commenced)  was  wrecked  and  stove  en- 
tirely to  pieces  on  the  ledge  of  rocks  running 
out  from  the  harbour  of  York,  (Maine,)  and 
every  person  on  board  perished,  consisting  of 
fifteen  young  men,  all  under  thirty  years  of  age, 
and  belonging  to  Kennebec,  (Maine,)  where 
the  vessel  was  owned.  Part  of  the  time  the 
wind  blew  a  complete  hurricane,  (said  the  east- 
ern newspapers.)  The  number  of  lives  lost  on 
the  coast  and  in  harbours,  by  shipwrecks,  &c., 
from  the  10th  to  the  close  of  November,  were 
578.  The  whole  month  of  December,  1842, 
was  one  of  awful  and  destructive  storms  in  dif- 
ferent latitudes. 

1843.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  34|,  and  there  was  no  intensely 
cold  or  very  mild  weather.  The  month  was 


260  D  E  -C  E  M  B  E  R. 

very  unpleasant.  Some  snow  fell  on  four  days, 
which  would  have  made  six  and  a  half  inches, 
had  not  a  great  part  of  it  melted  soon  after  it 
reached  the  earth.  Some  rain  fell  on  nine 
days,  making  in  all  four  inches.  There  were 
nine  days  that  were  cloudy,  either  a  part  or  the 
whole  day,  in  which  no  rain  or  snow  fell.  The 
other  nine  days  were  tolerably  clear,  excepting 
three  foggy  mornings.  The  medium  tempera- 
ture of  the  whole  year  was  51  f. 

During  the  past  autumn  there  was  much  se- 
verely cold  weather  in  several  portions  of  the 
United  States,  particularly  in  the  west,  the 
north  and  the  east ;  and  considerable  snow  fell 
earlier  than  usual  in  those  directions,  and  by 
various  arrivals  at  different  ports,  we  received 
accounts  of  very  tempestuous  weather  at  sea, 
and  many  marine  disasters ;  and  storms  on  the 
lakes  were  very  disastrous  to  many  vessels. 
There  were  fourteen  vessels  lost  on  Lake  Erie 
alone. 

1844.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  35,  and  the  weather  during  the 
month  was  very  variable.  Some  rain  fell  on 
seven  days,  making  in  all  three  inches.  A 
very  little  snow  fell  on  the  23d  and  27th,  about 
a  quarter  of  an  inch  in  all.  There  was  much 
cloudy,  overcast  and  chilly  weather,  but  none 
that  was  severely  cold  or  very  mild  in  this  vi- 
cinity. On  the  17th  the  river  became  so  ob- 
structed by  ice  from  Kensington  to  Borden- 
town,  that  the  up-river  steamboats  ceased  to 
perform  their  regular  trips.  Although  there 
was  not  sufficient  snow  fell  in  this  vicinity 


DECEMBER.  261 

during  the  month  to  whiten  the  earth,  yet  the 
whole  state  of  New  York  and  the  New  Eng- 
land States  were  bountifully  supplied.  On  the 
llth  and  12th  of  the  month  there  was  a  violent 
snow  storm  from  New  York  to  the  extreme 
part  of  Maine.  On  Long  Island,  the  snow  was 
blown  into  banks  from  ten  to  twelve  feet  high, 
so  that  the  cars  were  stopped  for  several  days. 
The  papers  said,  the  storm  was  the  most  vio- 
lent for  many  years  ;  in  Connecticut  the  drifts 
were  fifteen  feet  high.  Beyond  Rhode  Island 
the  storm  was  not  so  severe,  and  much  less 
snow  fell.  The  medium  temperature  of  the 
whole  year  was  53. 

1845.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  28 f ,  and  it  was  the  coldest  Decem- 
ber month  since  1825.  After  one  of  the  most 
pleasant  and  mild  autumns  experienced  in  this 
latitude  for  many  years,  stern  winter  took  us 
by  surprise  on  the  28th  of  November,  having 
so  powerfully  operated  on  the  atmosphere  from 
the  evening  of  the  27th  to  the  morning  of  the 
28th,  as  to  reduce  the  mercury  29  degrees  in 
ten  hours.  The  weather  was  cold  and  very  in- 
clement a  great  part  of  the  month.  On  a  part 
of  fourteen  days  the  mercury  was  below  the 
freezing  point.  On  five  days  some  snow  fell ; 
and  on  eight  days  some  rain ;  making  in  all 
four  and  a  half  inches.  The  western,  the 
northern,  and  some  of  the  eastern  papers  said, 
"  a  much  larger  quantity  of  snow  had  fallen 
than  for  many  years  at  so  early  a  period,  and 
there  was  good  sleighing  more  than  half  the 
month."  A  New  Orleans  paper  of  the  8th  of 

23 


262  DECEMBER. 

December  said  there  was  ice  there,  and  in  all 
that  region  of  country,  and  skating  on  the  Mis- 
sissippi; and  the  mercury  was  down  to  23. 
On  the  8th  of  December  the  Ohio  river  was 
frozen  over  at  Pittsburg,  Wheeling,  Cincinnati, 
&c.,  also  that  the  Wabash  river  was  frozen  at 
Vincennes,  as  early  as  November  30.  The 
snow  was  nine  inches  deep  in  Tennessee  on 
the  5th  of  December ;  and  in  Michigan  the 
mercury  was  6  below  zero  on  the  29th  of  No- 
vember. In  Kentucky  the  mercury  was  2  be- 
low zero  on  the  3d  of  December ;  and  at  St. 
Louis  it  was  5  below  zero,  and  snow  a  foot 
deep  'on  a  level,  in  that  and  many  of  the  west- 
ern states.  It  was  about  the  same  depth  in  the 
interior  of  Pennsylvania,  New  York,  Connec- 
ticut, and  through  the  New  England  states; 
but,  in  the  Canadas,  it  was  from  eighteen  to 
twenty-four  inches,  and  in  many  parts  of  Upper 
Canada  it  was  blown  into  banks  fifteen  feet 
high,  and  the  mercury  was  13  below  zero.  In 
Albany,  Saratoga  and  Utica,  it  was  10  below 
zero  on  the  llth  of  December;  and  at  Fran- 
conia,  N.  H.,  it  was  33  degrees  below  zero  ! 
What  a  cold  place  ! ! !  The  medium  tempera- 
ture of  the  whole  year  1845,  in  Philadelphia, 
was  54. 

1846.  The  medium  temperature  of  this 
month  was  35,  and  the  weather  was  exceeding- 
ly variable.  There  were  but  seven  entirely  clear 
days.  Some  rain  fell  on  eight  days,  making 
in  all  three  and  a  half  inches ;  and  some  snow 
fell  on  three,  making  about  six  inches.  The 
remaining  days  were  overcast,  cloudy  and 


DECEMBER.  263 

clear.  On  eighteen  mornings  at  sunrise  the 
mercury  was  either  at  or  below  the  freezing 
point ;  but  only  once  was  it  as  low  as  20  above 
zero,  which  is  12  below  the  freezing  point.  It 
did  not  freeze  at  all  during  thirteen  nights, 
which  is  very  extraordinary  for  a  December 
month.  On  four  mid-days  the  mercury  ranged 
from  50  to  56  in  the  shade;  on  fourteen  days 
it  was  40  and  above,  and  only  on  three  mid- 
days was  it  as  low  as  the  freezing  point.  The 
medium  temperature  of  the  whole  year  was  54. 
The  smallest  quantity  of  rain  which  has 
fallen  in  any  one  year  during  the  last  half  cen- 
tury was  in  1819,  when  only  twenty-three  and 
a  quarter  inches'  fell.  And  the  greatest  quan- 
tity in  one  year  was  in  1841,  when  fifty -five 
and  a  half  inches  fell.  The  usual  quantity 
which  falls  is  from  40  to  46  inches. 

"  The  old  year  's  run  his  rapid  race, 
The  new  one  follows  in  the  chase ; 
While  hoary  time  stands  listening1  by, 
Marking  the  moments  as  they  fly." 

He  that  hopes  to  look  back  with  satisfaction 
upon  past  years,  must  learn  the  value  of  a  sin- 
gle moment,  and  endeavour  to  let  no  particle  of 
time  pass  unimproved. 


264 


TEMPERATURE — 1790  TO  1847. 


The  Temperature  of  each  Year  from  1790,  to 
1847,  making  57  Years. 


Temperature  of  1790 

was 

52 

Temperature  of  1  8  1  9 

was 

51 

« 

1791 

<; 

52| 

ii 

1820 

it 

5lf 

cc 

1792 

« 

52 

" 

1821 

ii 

51* 

tl 

1793 

n 

53 

(C 

1822 

ii 

53 

ll 

1794 

ii 

50 

" 

1823 

i 

53§ 

11 

1795 

ii 

51 

" 

1824 

« 

53| 

ll 

1796 

ii 

51* 

ll 

1825 

< 

54 

ll 

1797 

" 

51 

" 

1826 

( 

53 

ll 

1798 

M 

51 

" 

1827 

< 

50 

ll 

1799 

ll 

51 

u 

1828 

< 

54 

ll 

1800 

ll 

51* 

u 

J829 

( 

53 

ll 

1801 

ll 

52 

« 

1830 

( 

52* 

" 

1802 

ll 

53* 

" 

1831 

* 

53 

ll 

1803 

ll 

52 

ti 

1832 

ii 

51 

" 

1804 

ll 

51 

u 

1833 

" 

52^ 

" 

1805 

ll 

51* 

ll 

1834 

« 

52|- 

" 

1806 

ll 

51* 

ll 

1835 

<( 

52 

« 

1807 

ll 

52 

" 

1836 

" 

50? 

ll 

1808 

« 

52 

ll 

1837 

« 

52? 

ll 

1809 

ll 

51 

ll 

1838 

it 

53 

It 

1810 

ll 

51 

" 

1839 

u 

52 

" 

1811 

ll 

52 

M 

1840 

" 

52^ 

ll 

1812 

ll 

51 

" 

1841 

u 

51* 

" 

1813 

ll 

50^ 

it 

1842 

" 

52! 

u 

1814 

ll 

51 

ll 

1843 

" 

512 

ll 

1815 

11 

511 

n 

1844 

ll 

53 

ll 

1816 

ll 

49 

it 

1845 

ll 

54 

ll 

1817 

ll 

52* 

« 

1846 

ll 

54 

ll 

1818 

ll 

53 

By  the  table  above,  will  be  seen  at  one 
view,  the  wonderful  uniformity  in  the  tempera- 
ture of  the  years.  Only  in  one  year  was  there 
a  difference  of  5  degrees,  and  that  was  in  1816, 
in  which  there  was  ice  in  every  month.  Twenty 
of  the  other  years,  the  temperature  did  not  vary 
one  degree.  The  periods  of  our  recording  the 
state  of  the  atmosphere,  may  be  seen  in  the 
preface. 


APPENDIX. 


Further  accounts  respecting  the  weather,  extracted  from  very  ancient 
as  well  as  modern  manuscripts  ;  also  from  books  and  periodicals  re- 
ceived from  Foreign  correspondents,  as  mentioned  in  our  preface. 

COLD  AND  STORMY  WINTERS, 
In  Europe,  $c. 

Christian  Era  202,  &c.  The  winters  of  202, 
250,  and  291,  were  intensely  cold  for  four 
months.  The  Thames  was  frozen  for  nine 
weeks. 

In  the  winter  of  301  the  Black  Sea  was  fro- 
zen entirely  over. 

In  the  winter  of  401  the  Pontus  Sea  was 
frozen  over,  also  the  Sea  between  Constantino- 
ple and  Scutari. 

In  462  the  Danube  was  frozen  over.  In  508 
and  558  the  Danube  was  again  frozen  over,  also 
all  the  rivers  in  Europe  were  more  or  less 
frozen. 

In  the  winter  of  695,  the  Thames  was  frozen 
so  hard,  that  many  booths  were  built  thereon. 

In  the  winter  of  762,  the  Dardanelles  and 
Black  Sea  were  frozen  over,  and  snow  drifted 
to  the  astonishing  ctepth  of  50  feet ! 

During  the  winters  of  859  and  860,  most  of 
the  rivers  in  Europe  were  frozen  for  two  months. 


266  APPENDIX.' 

In  the  winter  of  923,  the  river  Thames  was 
frozen  for  nine  weeks ;  and  in  the  winter  of  987 
it  was  frozen  120  days. 

In  1063,  1067,  and  1076,  the  winters  in  Eu- 
rope were  long  and  intensely  cold,  and  many 
persons  perished  by  cold  and  hunger. 

In  the  year  1214,  the  Thames  was  so  low  be- 
tween the  tower  and  bridges,  that  men,  women 
and  children  waded  over  it,  the  water  being 
only  four  inches  deep.  And  again  in  1803  and 
1836,  the  water  all  ran  out,  and  many  persons 
passed  and  repassed. 

In  1235,  the  water  rose  so  high  in  the  Thames 
as  to  extend  up  round  Westminster  Hall,  to  such 
a  depth,  that  the  judges  and  lawyers  were  taken 
from  the  Hall  in  boats. 

In  the  winters  of  1234,  1294,  and  1296,  the 
sea  between  Norway  and  Denmark,  and  from 
Sweden  to  Gothland,  and  the  Rhine  and  Baltic, 
were  all  frozen,  and  snow  fell  to  a  frightful 
depth. 

In  the  winter  of  1133,  the  cold  was  so  intense 
in  Italy,  that  the  Po  was  frozen  from  Cremona 
to  the  Sea.  The  wine  froze  and  burst  the  casks, 
and  the  trees  split  with  a  great  noise. 

The  winters  of  1216  and  1234,  were  very 
similar  to  the  last  mentioned. 

In  the  winter  of  1282,  the  houses  in  Austria 
were  completely  buried  in  snow,  and  many  per- 
sons perished  with  hunger  and  cold. 

The  winters  of  1323,  1349,  1402,  1408,  1423, 
1426  and  1459,  were  all  intensely  cold,  and  the 
Baltic  was  so  firmly  covered  with  ice,  from 
Mecklenburg  to  Denmark,  that  merchandise 
was  conveyed  over  it  with  horses  and  wagons. 


A  P  P  E  N  D  I  X.  267 

In  the  winter  of  1384,  the  Rhine  and  Scheldt, 
and  the  Sea  of  Venice,  were  frozen. 

In  the  winters  of  1434  and  1683,  the  Thames 
was  frozen  below  Gravesend.  Also,  in  1709, 
1760,  1763,  and  1784. 

In  the  winter  of  1620,  the  sea  between  Con- 
stantinople and  Iskodar  was  again  frozen. 

The  winters  of  1670  and  1681,  were  intense- 
ly cold.  The  Little  and  Great  Belts  were  fro- 
zen, and  many  persons  perished. 

The  winter  of  1692  was  awfully  severe  in 
Russia  and  Germany,  and  many  persons  froze 
to  death,  and  many  cattle  perished  in  their 
stalls. 

The  winters  of  1709,  '16,  '39,  '47,  '54,  '63,  '76, 
'84,  '88  and  '89,  are  all  recorded  as  having  been 
intensely  cold  throughout  Europe. 

On  the  llth  October,  1741,  there  was  the 
most  awful  and  destructive  storm  in  India  which 
was  ever  experienced.  It  was  computed  that 
three  hundred  thousand  persons  perished  on 
the  land  and  water.  The  water  rose  40  feet 
higher  than  ever  before  known.  It  was  also 
computed  that  more  than  a  thousand  vessels 
were  lost,  and  among  them  eight  English  East 
India  ships,  with  all  their  crewrs. 

On  the  7th  March,  1751,  there  was  a  terrible 
storm  at  Nantz,  which  destroyed  66  square- 
rigged  vessels,  arid  800  seamen  perished.  On 
the  8th  of  December,  of  the  same  year,  a  still 
more  destructive  storm  occurred  at  Cadiz,  in 
which  100  vessels  were  lost,  and  three  thousand 
sailors  perished. 

A  London  paper  of  January  29,  1762,  says, 
"the  Thames  had  been  frozen  so  firmly  since 


268  APPENDIX. 

Christmas,  that  horses  and  carriages  were  driven 
thereon.  Also,  that  booths  were  erected,  and 
fairs  held  thereon." 

A  German  paper  of  December  17,  1788,  says, 
the  cold  was  so  intense,  as  to  sink  the  mercury 
27  degrees  below  zero. 

On  the  13th  July,  1783,  at  St.  Germain,  in 
France,  hail  fell  as  large  as  pint-bottles,  and  did 
immense  damage.  All  the  trees  from  Vallance 
to  Lisle,  were  destroyed. 

On  the  10th  Jan.  1812,  the  fog  was  so  dense 
in  London,  that  every  house  was  lighted  with 
candles  or  lamps ;  and  it  was  so  dark  in  the 
streets  at  mid-day,  that  a  person  could  scarcely 
be  discerned  at  a  distance  of  eight  or  ten  feet. 
On  the  27th  December,  1813,  a  similar  fog  oc- 
curred in  England,  which  continued  for  four 
days,  and  several  persons  missed  their  way  and 
fell  into  canals  and  rivers. 

In  December  1840,  the  weather  was  so  se- 
vere in  Sweden,  that  it  was  computed  that  three 
thousand  persons  perished.  A  London  paper 
of  February  3d,  1841,  says,  "The  weather  is 
awfully  severe  and  boisterous,  and  numerous 
disasters  have  occurred  to  the  shipping,  &,c. 
The  Thames  steamboat,  from  Ireland,  was 
wrecked,  and  out  of  sixty-five  passengers,  only 
four  were  saved. 


Cold  Winters  in  Philadelphia,  tyc.,  previous  to 
1790. 

The  winter  of  1789  was  very  mild  until  the 
middle  of  February,  when  the  weather  became 


APPENDIX.  269 

exceedingly  cold  to  the  close  of  the  month. 
The  whole  spring  was  so  cold  that  fires  were 
comfortable  until  June.  The  summer  months 
were  excessively  hot,  the  mercury  frequently 
rising  to  96  in  the  shade. 

The  whole  winter  of  1788  was  intensely  cold. 
The  Delaware  was  closed  from  the  26th  of  De- 
cember to  the  10th  of  March. 

The  winters  of  1786  and  1787  were  tolerably 
mild.  There  were  some  cold  days  of  course. 

The  winters  of  1784  and  1785  were  tolerably 
mild,  notwithstanding  much  snow  fell. 

The  winter  of  1783  was  long  and  severe. 
The  Delaware  closed  as  early  as  the  28th  of 
November,  and  continued  ice-bound  until  the 
18th  of  March.  The  mercury  was  several 
times  below  zero. 

The  \vinter  of  1782  was  also  very  cold.  The 
Delaware  froze  over  in  one  night  opposite  the 
city. 

The  winter  of  1781  was  very  mild,  but  the 
spring  was  cold  and  backward. 

The  Avhole  winter  of  1780  was  intensely 
cold.  The  Delaware  was  closed  from  the  1st 
of  December  to  the  14th  of  March.  The  ice 
was  from  two  to  three  feet  thick.  During  the 
month  of  January  the  mercury  was  several 
times  from  10  to  15  below  zero,  and  only  once 
during  the  month  did  it  rise  to  32.  Long  Is- 
land Sound  and  the  Chesapeake  were  so  com- 
pletely ice-bound  as  to  be  passable  with  horses 
and  sleighs. 

The  winter  of  1779  wras  very  mild,  particu- 
larly the  month  of  February,  when  trees  were 
in  blossom. 


270  APPENDIX. 

"  January  9,  1773,  the  mercury  was  9  de- 
grees below  0,  and  there  was  much  snow  and 
cold  weather  until  the  10th  of  March." 

During  the  winter  of  1772,  the  Delaware  was 
covered  with  ice  for  three  months. 

The  winter  of  1765  was  intensely  cold.  On 
the  19th  of  February,  a  whole  ox  was  roasted 
on  the  Delaware. 

On  the  31st  of  December,  1764,  the  Dela- 
ware was  frozen  completely  over  in  one  ni  ^ht, 
and  the  weather  continued  cold  until  the  28th 
of  March,  with  snow  two  and  a  half  feet  deep. 

The  winter  of  1760  was  alternately  very  cold 
and  very  mild.  In  the  month  of  March  there 
was  the  heaviest  fall  of  snow  ever  remembered 
so  late  in  the  season. 

The  winter  of  1756  was  very  mild  ;  the  first 
snow  storm  was  as  late  as  the  18th  of  March. 

The  winter  of  1750  was  very  open  and  mild, 
but  all  the  spring  months  were  cold  and  stormy. 
As  late  in  the  season  as  the  30th  of  May,  snow 
lay  on  the  ground. 

The  next  record  we  find  is  1742,  which  siys, 
"  One  of  the  coldest  winters  since  the  settle- 
ment of  the  country ;  a  gentleman  drove  him- 
self with  a  horse  and"  sleigh  through  Long 
Island  Sound  (on  the  ice,)  to  Cape  Cod  !" 

The  winter  of  1741  was  intensely  cold.  The 
Delaware  was  closed  from  the  19th  of  Decem- 
ber to  the  13th  of  March.  Many  creatures  died 
from  hunger  and  cold.  As  late  in  the  season 
as  the  19th  of  April,  snow  fell  to  the  depth  of 
three  feet,  after  which  the  weather  became 
very  warm,  and  the  whole  summer  was  in- 
tensely hot. 


APPENDIX.  271 

The  winter  of  1740  was  very  cold  and  stormy. 
The  Delaware  continued  closed  -until  the  14th 
of  March. 

The  winters  of  1736  and  1737  were  both  in- 
tensely cold,  and  many  persons  perished. 

In  both  the  winters  of  1727  and  1728,  the 
Delaware  was  closed  for  three  months. 

The  whole  winter  of  ]725  was  mild,  but  the 
spring  very  cold.  In  March  snow  fell  to  the 
depth  of  two  feet  in  one  night. 

The  winter  of  1717  was  long  and  severe,  and 
there  were  the  deepest  snows  remembered  by 
the  oldest  inhabitants.  Their  depth  is  not  re- 
corded. 

The  winter  of  1714  was  very  mild  after  the 
15th  of  January  ;  trees  and  shrubbery  were  in 
bloom  the  first  week  in  February,  and  the 
spring  was  unusually  mild.  After  this  we 
could  find  no  record  of  the  weather,  or  even  a 
word  respecting  it,  until  the  winter  of  1704, 
which  was  long  and  severe,  with  many  deep 
snows. 

The  14th  of  December,  1708,  is  recorded  by 
a  New  England  writer,  as  being  the  coldest 
day  ever  known  there  up  to  that  time  !  But 
he  forgot  to  say  how  cold  it  was  !  At  this  time 
thermometers  had  been  in  use  eighty-eight 
years.  They  were  invented  in  1620. 

The  winter  of  1697  was  intensely  cold.  Bos- 
ton harbour  was  frozen  as  far  down  as  Nan- 
tucket. 

After  this  the  only  record  we  can  find  re- 
specting the  weather  in  America  is,  "  on  the 
llth  of  December,  1681,  the  Delaware  river 
froze  over  in  one  night,  so  as  to  be  passable  on 
the  ice." 


272  APPENDIX. 

The  severest  drought  ever  experienced  in 
America  was  in  the  summer  of  1762.  Scarcely 
a  sprinkle  of  rain  fell  for  nearly  four  months, 
viz.  from  May  to  September.  Vegetables  of 
every  description  perished. 


Storms  and  Hurricanes. 

On  the  26th  November,  1703,  there  was  a 
most  awful  and  destructive  storm  on  the  coast 
of  England,  in  which  thirteen  sail  of  British 
men-of-war  were  lost,  and  fifteen  hundred  and 
nineteen  officers  and  seamen  perished.  A  great 
many  other  vessels,  with  their  crews,  were  also 
lost,  and  an  immense  amount  of  other  damage 
was  sustained. 

During  the  dreadful  storm  and  tempest  on 
the  coast  of  Newfoundland,  on  the  llth  of  Sep- 
tember, 1776,  eleven  ships,  arid  several  hundred 
smaller  vessels  with  all  their  crews,  were  lost. 

During  a  most  awful  hurricane  in  the  West 
Indies,  on  the  10th  October,  1780,  the  whole 
town  of  Bridgetown  was  destroyed,  and  many 
thousand  persons  perished.  St.  Lucien,  Gre- 
nada, and  St.  Vincent,  were  also  laid  waste, 
and  many  thousands  perished.  At  Fort  Roy- 
al, (Martinique,)  fourteen  hundred  houses  were 
blown  down,  and  an  incredible  number  of  per- 
sons were  killed.  Every  house  at  St.  Pierre, 
was  also  blown  down,  and  many  thousands 
perished.  At  St.  Eustatia,  five  thousand  per- 
sons, at  least,  lost  their  lives.  Many  vessels 
with  their  crews,  were  dashed  to  pieces  in  the 
above  ports. 


APPENDIX.  273 

On  the  first  week  in  September  1804,  there 
was  a  destructive  hurricane  in  the  West  Indies. 
At  St.  Kitts,  one  hundred  and  twenty  vessels, 
with  many  of  their  crews,  were  lost.  At  Anti- 
gua, fifty-nine  vessels  were  lost,  and  most  of 
their  crews  perished.  At  St.  Bartholomew, 
fifty  vessels  and  many  lives  were  lost.  At  St. 
Thomas,  forty-four  vessels  with  their  crews 
were  lost.  At  other  Islands,  many  vessels  with 
their  crews  were  lost. 

During  the  autumn  of  1838,  there  were  ter- 
rible storms  and  gales  the  other  side  of  the  At- 
lantic; and  great  damage  was  sustained  both 
on  the  sea  and  land.  The  chain  bridge  at  Mon- 
trose  was  carried  away,  and  immense  damage 
done  to  the  shipping,  &c.  Another  storm  oc- 
curred on  the  night  of  the  28th  October,  sweep- 
ing the  whole  northern  and  eastern  coast  of 
England  with  terrific  violence,  unroofing  houses, 
blowing  down  chimneys,  trees,  &c.,  and  doing 
immense  damage  to  vessels,  &c. 

In  the  year  450  there  was  the  greatest  hail 
storm  in  England  ever  recorded,  up  to  that  pe- 
riod. The  hail  stones  measured  three  inches 
in  diameter,  killing  many  men,  beasts,  fowls, 
birds,  &c. 

In  549,  there  was  a  most  terrific  storm  in 
London,  which  blew  down  many  houses,  and 
killed  two  hundred  and  fifty  persons. 

In  the  years  553,  and  918,  it  rained  most  of 
the  time  in  Scotland.  And  in  England  and 
Wales,  during  the  years  1222,  1233,  •  1330, 
1338,  1348,  1365,  1752,  1770,  and  1789,  the 
land  was  kept  so  inundated  with  continuous 

24 


274  APPENDIX. 

rains,  that  scarcely  an  article  of  food  was 
raised. 

In  the  year  944,  there  was  another  destruc- 
tive storm  in  London,  which  blew  down  fifteen 
hundred  buildings,  and  killed  several  hundred 
persons. 

In  1223,  there  was  a  succession  of  thunder 
storms  in  England,  which  continued  fifteen 
days,  with  violent  wind  and  terrific  lightning, 
which  did  great  damage. 

In  1515,  January  1,  there  was  a  most  fright- 
ful and  destructive  storm  in  Denmark,  which 
rooted  up  whole  forests  of  trees,  destroyed  a 
great  many  houses,  and  blew  down  the  steeple 
of  the  great  church  at  Copenhagen.  Many  per- 
sons were  killed. 

On  the  3d  September,  1658,  there  was  a  very 
alarming  and  destructive  storm  in  England. 
And  another  on  the  27th  November,  1703,  in 
both  which,  many  houses  were  blown  down,  and 
others  unroofed.  Churches,  steeples,  and  whole 
groves  of  trees  were  prostrated,  and  immense 
damage  done  to  the  shipping.  Among  a  great 
many  other  vessels  which  were  lost  with  most 
of  their  crews,  were  eight  frigates  and  ships  of 
the  line,  and  two  thousand  officers  and  seamen 
perished. 

The  greatest  snow  storm  in  the  Carol  in  as 
that  we  have  any  account  of,  was  in  February 
1717,  when  the  snow  fell  to  the  depth  of  six 
feet.  In  New  England  it  fell  to  a  much  greater 
depth.  A  Salem  (Mass.)  paper,  published  im- 
mediately after  the  storm,  said,  "the  snow  was 
blown  into  banks  from  fifteen  to  twenty  feet 
high." 


APPENDIX.  275 

\  ^, 

The  winter  of  1697  was  long,  stormy,  and  se- 
verely cold  all  over  the  United  States.  The 
Delaware  was  closed  with  thick  ice  for  more 
than  three  months,  so  that  sleighs  and  sleds 
passed  from  Trenton  to  Philadelphia,  and  from 
Philadelphia  to  Chester,  on  the  ice. 

In  1699,  Charleston,  S.  C.,  was  nearly  depop- 
ulated by  an  awful  tempest  and  inundation. 

The  winter  of  1704  was  intensely  cold  and 
stormy.  In  December,  snow  fell  to  the  depth 
of  three  feet  on  a  level.  The  Delaware  was 
fast  with  ice  two  feet  thick,  from  the  10th  De- 
cember to  the  10th  March. 

On  the  28th  and  29th  December,  1805,  there 
was  a  most  violent  and  destructive  storm  almost 
all  over  the  United  States.  The  wind  blew  a 
complete  hurricane.  Many  vessels  were  stove 
and  sunk  in  the  Delaware,  also  in  New  York, 
Boston,  &c. 

At  the  close  of  the  winter  of  1842,  a  New 
York  paper  said,  "  The  past  winter  has  been 
the  coldest  since  the  settlement  of  the  country, 
and  perhaps,  more  snow  has  fallen  !"  Query. 

On  the  14th  July,  1842,  the  lower  part  of  the 
city  of  Baltimore  was  completely  deluged  by 
repeated  and  powerful  rains ;  and  particularly 
by  a  tremendous  thunder  storm,  during  which 
several  persons  were  struck  down  by  lightning. 
On  the  same  day  there  was  a  most  destructive 
storm  in  Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  by  which 
the  whole  South  was  partially  deluged.  The 
papers  from  those  States  gave  the  most  dis- 
tressing accounts  of  the  violent  gale  of  wind 
which  accompanied  the  torrents  of  rain.  The 
Norfolk  papers  said,  "  the  rain  was  followed  by 


276  APPENDIX. 

a  three  days'  hurricane,  by  which  great  dam- 
age was  done  to  the  shipping  in  Hampton 
Roads,  &c.;  also  to  railroads,  canals,  bridges, 
mills,  &c.  On  the  east  side  of  Oronoke,  four- 
teen vessels  were  cast  away,  and  completely 
wrecked,  and  a  number  of  dead  bodies  were 
washed  ashore.  Two  other  vessels  were  strand- 
ed, and  their  whole  crews  perished."  It  was 
indeed,  a  month  of  more  violent  thunder  storms, 
all  over  the  United  States,  than  any  month  for 
half  a  century.  Our  record  of  the  number  of 
buildings  burnt  by  lightning  during  the  sum- 
mer of  1842,  was  sixty-one ;  and  of  the  number 
of  deaths  by  lightning,  forty-six. 


NOTES  FROM  OUR  RECORD, 

Respecting  the  American  Revolution,  and  formation  of  the  government 
of  the  United  States,  4r. 

On  the  llth  of  June,  1776,  the  old  Congress 
appointed  Thomas  Jefferson,  John  Adams,  Ben- 
jamin Franklin,  Roger  Sherman  and  R.  R. 
Livingston,  a  committee  to  prepare  a  Declara- 
tion of  Independence. 

The  Declaration  of  Independence  was  adopt- 
ed by  said  Congress  on  the  4th  of  July,  1776, 
and  was  read  from  the  State  House  steps  in 
Philadelphia,  on  the  8th  of  July,  1776.  This 
event  took  place  264  years  after  the  first  discove- 
ry of  America  by  Columbus,  and  150  years  from 
the  settlement  of  Plymouth,  and  when  the  Uni- 
ted States  possessed  a  population  of  short  of 
3,000,000  of  souls,  (men,  women  and  children.) 

On  the  17th  of  June,  1775,  the  great  battle 


APPENDIX.  277 

of  Bunker  Hill  was  fought,  and  1054  British 
soldiers  were  killed.  On  the  same  day  Charles- 
town,  (Mass.)  was  burnt  by  the  British. 

On  the  13th  of  June,  1780,  "  The  American 
Daughters  of  Liberty  in  Philadelphia,"  formed 
themselves  into  an  association,  for  supplying 
the  soldiers  of  the  American  army  with  cloth- 
ing. 

On  the  26th  of  May,  1781,  Congress  resolved 
to  establish  the  Bank  of  North  America,  being 
the  first  regularly  established  bank  in  America. 
On  the  7th  of  January,  1782,  it  opened  for  bu- 
siness in  Philadelphia. 

On  the  19th  of  April,  1783,  the  day  which 
completed  the  eighth  year  of  the  Revolutionary 
war,  the  cessation  of  hostilities  was  proclaimed 
to  the  American  army.  The  loss  of  lives  to  the 
Americans  during  this  war,  was  estimated  at 
70,000  men. 

On  the  3d  of  September,  1783,  the  definitive 
articles  of  peace  were  signed  at  Paris,  between 
England  and  America.  John  Adams,  Benja- 
min Franklin  and  John  Jay,  signed  on  the  part 
of  America,  and  David  Hartley,  on  the  part  of 
England. 

On  the  17th  of  September,  1787,  the  Grand 
Federal  Convention  adopted  and  promulgated 
the  present  Federal  Constitution  of  the  United 
States. 

On  the  3d  of  March,  1789,  the  delegates  from 
the  several  states  which  had  ratified  the  Fede- 
ral Constitution,  assembled  at  New  York,  and 
opened  and  counted  the  votes  for  President, 
when  it  was  found  that  GEORGE  WASHINGTON 

24* 


278 


APPENDIX. 


was  unanimously  elected,  and  JOHN  ADAMS  was 
elected  Vice  President. 

The  following  is  the  order  in  which  the  se- 
veral states  adopted  the  Federal  Constitution  of 
the  United  States. 


1st.  Delaware, 

2d.  Pennsylvania, 

3d.  New  Jersey, 

4th.  Georgia, 

5th.  Connecticut, 

6th.  Massachusetts, 

7th.  Maryland, 

8th.  South  Carolina, 

9th.  New  Hampshire, 

10th.  Virginia, 

llth.  New  York, 

12th.  North  Carolina, 

13th.  Rhode  Island, 

14th.  Vermont,  admitted 
ruary  18,  1791 

15th.  Kentucky,        do. 

16th.  Tennessee,       do. 

17th.  Ohio,  do. 

18th.  Maine,  do. 


December  3,  1787. 
December  13,  1787. 
December  19,  1787. 
January  2,  1788. 
January  9,  1788. 
February  6,  1788. 
April  28,  1788. 
May  23,  1788. 
June  21,  1788. 
June  25,  1788. 
July  26,  1788. 
November  27,  1789. 
May  29,  1790. 
into  the  Union,  Feb- 

do.  June  1,  1792. 

do.  June  1,  1796. 

do.  in  1802. 

do.  in  1820. 


The  other  states  were  admitted  into  the 
Union  at  various  periods,  as  their  population 
increased. 

On  the  19th  of  April,  1789,  when  WASHING- 
TON entered  Philadelphia  on  his  way  to  New 
York,  to  assume  the  office  of  President  of  the 
United  States,  at  each  end  of  the  bridge  at 
Gray's  ferry  were  erected  laurel  arches,  and  as 
he  passed  under  the  first,  a  crown  of  laurels  was 
lowered  upon  his  h$ad, 


APPENDIX.  279 

On  the  22d  of  September,  1790,  Congress 
passed  a  law  to  remove  the  seat  of  government 
from  New  York  to  Philadelphia,  for  ten  years, 
and  after  that  period,  to  the  city  of  Washing- 
ton permanently. 

December  11,  1800,  the  government  of  the 
United  States  was  removed  from  Philadelphia 
to  the  City  of  Washington. 


HISTORY  OF  PHILADELPHIA. 

From  the  State  Book  of  Pennsylvania,  published   by  U.  Hunt  8s  Son, 
Philadelphia,  1846. 

"THE  site  of  Philadelphia  seems  to  have  been 
called  Coaquanock  by  the  Delaware  Indians, 
who  occupied  it  before  the  white  men.  The 
Swedes  were  its  first  permanent  settlers.  Three 
sons  of  a  person  of  that  nation  called  Sven,  (sub- 
sequently known  as  Swansons,)  held  the  ground 
on  which  the  lower  part  of  the  city  stands,  by 
deed  from  the  British  Governor  of  New  York, 
dated  in  1664.  Penn's  grant  of  the  provinces 
was  obtained  early  in  1681,  and  the  first  set- 
tlers under  it  arrived  in  August  of  that  year, 
in  the  ship  John  and  Sarah  of  London.  Phila- 
delphia not  being  yet  laid  out,  they  landed  at 
the  Swedish  town  of  Upland,  (now  Chester.) 

In  1682,  William  Penn  having  arrived,  se- 
lected the  site  for  the  city,  and  regularly  laid  it 
out.  He  procured  the  land  of  the  Svens  for 
that  purpose,  by  giving  them  other  land  on  the 


280  APPENDIX. 

Schuylkill  in  exchange.  He  gave  the  new 
town,  and  the  county  in  which  it  is  placed,  the 
name  of  Philadelphia,  which  he  had  deter- 
mined on  before  he  left  England.  It  was  the 
name  of  an  ancient  city  in  Asia  Minor,  and 
adopted  on  account  of  its  indicating  the  har- 
mony he  wished  to  prevail  in  the  new  town.  It 
is  composed  of  the  Greek  word  "philos,"  a 
friend,  and  "adelphos,"  a  brother,  and  may  be 
said  to  mean  the  City  of  Brotherly  Love.  It 
soon  grew  into  importance,  as  many  as  twenty- 
three  ships  having  arrived  from  various  parts 
of  Europe  with  settlers  before  the  close  of  1682. 
When  Penn  returned  to  England  in  June, 
1684,  the  population  had  already  reached 
2,500.  He  did  not  again  visit  Philadelphia  till 
1699,  when  he  found  it  much  increased  and 
improved.  The  same  year  the  yellow  fever 
first  made  its  appearance  in  the  town. 

Iti  October,  1701,  Penn  chartered  Philadel- 

Ehia  as  a  city,  and  Edward  Shippen  was  the 
rst  mayor.  The  same  year  Penn  finally  re- 
turned to  England.  The  old  Court-house  in 
the  middle  of  Market  street,  where  it  is  crossed 
by  Second,  was  built  in  1707.  Here  the  As- 
sembly met  and  the  courts  were  held.  The 
present  State  House  in  Chestnut  street,  was 
commenced  in  1729  and  the  central  portion 
completed  in  1735.  In  1731,  the  Philadelphia 
Library  was  commenced  by  Dr.  Franklin.  In 
1751,  an  academy,  which  subsequently  became 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  was  founded. 
It  was  chartered  in  1753,  erected  into  a  college 
in  1755,  and  a  university  in  1779.  The  bell 
procured  for  the  State  House  from  England,  in 


APPENDIX.  281 

1752,  having  been  broken  by  accident,  a  new 
one  was  cast  in  Philadelphia,  and  hung  in  the 
steeple,  with  this  remarkable  motto  upon  it: 
"  Proclaim  liberty  throughout  the  land  and  to 
all  the  people  thereof."  The  same  year  Penn- 
sylvania Hospital  was  founded,  chiefly  by  the 
exertions  of  Dr.  Franklin,  the  population  of  the 
city  then  being  about  14,000.  In  1760,  the 
population  was  18,000,  and  in  1770,  28,000. 

In  the  month  of  September,  1774,  the  first 
continental  Congress  met  in  Carpenters'  Hall. 
On  the  4th  of  July,  1776,  Independence  was 
publicly  declared  from  the  steps  of  the  State 
House  ;  the  Declaration  having  been  adopted 
and  signed  by  the  members  of  Congress,  in  an 
apartment  on  the  first  floor  of  the  eastern  end 
of  the  main  building.  The  courts  and  public 
offices  of  the  city  and  county  are  now  held  in 
the  State  House,  but  Independence  Chamber 
remains  in  the  same  condition  as  when  the 
memorable  Declaration  was  there  adopted.  In 
1781,  the  Bank  of  North  America,  being  the 
first  in  the  Union,  was  established  by  Congress. 
In  1788,  the  first  steamboat  was  tried  on  the 
Delaware  by  John  Fitch. 

In  1790,  the  population  of  the  city  and  ad- 
joining districts  was  42,500.  In  1793,  the  yel- 
low fever  carried  off  4041  persons,  and  drove 
the  greater  portion  of  the  inhabitants  from  the 
city.  In  1794,  South wark  was  incorporated, 
and  the  turnpike  to  Lancaster  completed.  In 
1799,  water  from  the  Schuylkill  was  introduced 
into  the  city  by  steam,  and  distributed  in  pipes 
from  Centre  Square,  now  called  Penn's  Square. 

In  the  year  1800,  the  population  was  63,900. 


282  APPENDIX. 

In  1803,  the  Northern  Liberties  were  incor- 
porated. In  1805,  the  Permanent  Bridge  was 
completed  across  the  Schujlkill.  In  1809,  the 
Phoenix,  the  first  of  Fulton's  steamboats,  was 
placed  on  the  Delaware,  from  which  time  steam- 
boats continued  to  be  used.  In  1810,  the  popu- 
lation of  Philadelphia  was  95,672.  Spring 
Garden  was  incorporated  in  1813.  In  1815,  the 
steam  water- works  were  completed.  In  1818, 
the  existing  public  school  law  of  the  city  and 
county  was  enacted.  In  1819,  the  United  States 
Bank  (now  the  Custom  House)  was  commenced, 
and  completed  in  five  years. 

In  1820,  the  population  was  117,887,  and 
Kensington  was  incorporated.  In  1822,  the 
Fairmount  Water-works,  as  at  present  in  ope- 
ration, were  completed.  In  1823,  the  Eastern 
Penitentiary  was  commenced.  In  1824,  the 
Franklin  Institute  was  incorporated.  In  1826, 
the  Schuylkill  Navigation  was  completed.  In 
1830,  the  whole  population  was  166,270.  In 

1833,  Girard   College  was   commenced — Ste- 
phen Girard  having  left  his  immense  property, 
worth  ten  millions  of  dollars,  when  he  died,  to 
the  city,  for  the  erection  and  support  of  that  in- 
stitution, and  the  improvement  of  the  city.     In 

1834,  the  Columbia  Railway  was  completed, 
and  locomotive  engines  first  used   on  it.     In 

1835,  gas  for  lighting*the  city  was  first  intro- 
duced.    In  1837,  Pennsylvania  Hall  was  burn- 
ed.    In  1840,  the  population  of  the  city  and 
districts  was  220,423.     In   1840,  a  great  fire 
happened  in  Front  street.     In  1844,  the  Ken- 
sington riots  occurred.     In  1845,  the  popula- 
tion of  the  city  and  districts  was  not  less  than 
260,000." 


APPENDIX.  283 


Buildings  and  Improvements  in  Philadelphia. 

In  1683,  there  were  only  eighty  dwelling 
houses  in  Philadelphia,  and  the  population  was 
short  of  twelve  hundred ;  but  such  has  been  the 
rapid  increase,  that  in  1845  the  population  of 
the  city  and  liberties  amounted  to  two  hundred 
and  sixty  thousand.  The  first  house  built  in 
Philadelphia,  was  in  Front  street,  between 
Walnut  and  Dock. 

Christ  Church,  in  Second  street  above  Mar- 
ket, was  originally  built  but  one  story  high,  in 
1695,  and  the  bell  was  hung  in  a  large  tree  in 
front  of  the  house.  In  1710,  a  part  of  a  more 
commodious  house  was  erected  on  the  founda- 
tion of  the  old.  In  1727,  the  western  end  of 
the  church  was  built,  and  the  eastern  end  in 
1731.  The  steeple  was  built  in  1753,  which  is 
196  feet  high.  For  a  great  number  of  years,  it 
has  had  eight  chiming  bells. 

The  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  Philadel- 
phia, was  constituted  in  1695,  and  they  wor- 
shipped in  a  small  house  or  store,  at  the  N.  W. 
corner  of  Second  and  Chestnut  streets,  for  about 
three  years,  when  they  purchased  a  lot,  and 
built  a  small  house  thereon,  at  the  corner  of 
Market  and  Bank  streets,  in  1698,  which  build- 
ing was  enlarged  in  1729,  and  they  continued 
to  worship  therein  until  1793,  when  it  was  su- 
perseded by  a  spacious  and  handsome  edifice 
on  the  same  lot,  where  they  continued  to  wor- 
ship until  1821,  when  they  erected  their  pre- 
sent large  and  commodious  house  at  the  corner 
of  Seventh  and  Locust  streets,  facing  Wash- 


284  APPENDIX. 

ington  Square,  which  church  is  now,  and  has 
since  June,  1830,  been  under  the  pastoral  charge 
of  the  Rev.  Albert  Barnes. 

The  First  Baptist  Society,  (who  now  have 
a  spacious  place  of  worship  in  Second  street, 
between  Market  and  Arch,)  was  constituted 
the  same  year  with  the  before-mentioned  First 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  so  mutually  harmo- 
nious were  these  two  Christian  societies  and 
their  pastors,  that  they  united  together  in  wor- 
ship in  the  same  small  building,  (at  the  corner 
of  Second  and  Chestnut  streets,)  for  nearly  three 
years,  after  which  both  were  more  commodi- 
ously  accommodated  in  different  places. 

The  Swedes  Church,  in  Southwark,  was 
built  in  1690. 

There  are  now,  (1847,)  in  the  city  and  liber- 
ties of  Philadelphia,  147  places  of  worship,  in- 
cluding all  denominations. 

The  Pennsylvania  Hospital  was  founded  in 
1752.  These  spacious  buildings  are  between 
Eighth  and  Ninth,  and  Spruce  and  Pine  streets; 
facing  on  Pine  street.  They  were  commenced 
in  1755,  and  the  east  wing  was  finished  that 
year.  The  west  wing  was  built  in  1796,  and 
the  centre  in  1804. 

The  State  House,  on  Chestnut,  between  Fifth 
and  Sixth  street,  was  built  in  1735.  The  fire- 
proof wings,  (occupied  as  public  offices,)  were 
built  in  1813. 

The  Philosophical  Society  of  Philadelphia 
was  formed  in  1760,  and  incorporated  in  1780. 
They  hold  their  meetings  in  their  building  in 
Fifth  below  Chestnut  street,  which  was  built  in 
1790. 


APPENDIX.  285 

The  Pennsylvania  College,  in  Ninth  between 
Chestnut  and  Market  streets,  was  founded  in 
1779,  and  changed  to  a  University  in  1789.  It 
has  two  spacious  buildings.  The  north  one  is 
the  University ;  the  other  is  the  Medical  Col- 
lege. Both  departments  are  in  very  high  rep- 
utation. 

The  Jefferson  Medical  College  is  located  in 
Tenth  street,  between  Chestnut  and  Walnut. 
There  is  no  institution  of  the  kind  in  the  Uni- 
ted States  superior  to  this.  The  professors  are 
gentlemen  of  the  highest  reputation.  The  col- 
lege building,  which  was  rebuilt  the  past  year, 
is  one  ofvthe  most  commodious  for  the  purpose 
in  America. 

The  College  of  Pharmacy,  Materia  Medica, 
&c.,  is  also  in  high  repute.  Their  spacious 
building  is  in  Zane  street,  between  Eighth  and 
Ninth. 

The  Girard  College  was  commenced  in  1833, 
and  will,  probably,  be  completed  the  present 
year,  (1847.) 

The  Philadelphia  Exchange,  at  the  corner  of 
Third,  Walnut  and  Dock  streets,  was  com- 
menced in  1828,  and  finished  in  1832.  It  is  a 
large  and  splendid  building,  and  occupied  by 
the  Post  Office,  a  number  of  Insurance  and 
other  offices,  a  spacious  Reading-room,  which  is 
furnished  with  newspapers  from  all  parts  of  the 
United  States,  a  large  Hall,  where  merchants 
hold  their  Exchange  meetings,  and  for  various 
other  purposes. 

The  United  States  Naval  Hospital  is  located 
on  the  banks  of  the  Schuylkill,  below  South 
street.  It  is  a  noble  building,  386  feet  long, 

25 


286  APPENDIX. 

and  175  wide,  and  is  the  most  convenient  for 
said  purpose  of  any  in  the  United  States.  It 
was  founded  in  1835. 

The  spacious  marble  edifice,  the  United 
States  Mint,  at  the  corner  of  Chestnut  and  Ju- 
niper streets,  was  commenced  in  1829,  and  fin- 
ished 1831. 

Philadelphia  was  first  lighted  with  Gas  in 
1835. 

The  Masonic  Hall  in  Chestnut,  between  Sev- 
enth and  Eighth  streets,  was  burnt  in  1819,  and 
rebuilt  immediately  afterwards. 

The  Odd  Fellows'  Hall,  in  Sixth,  between 
Arch  and  Race  streets,  was  built  in  1846. 

The  Bank  of  the  United  States,  in  Chestnut 
between  Fourth  and  Fifth  streets,  was  built  in 
1819-20,  and  used  by  the  stockholders  until 
1845,  when  the  United  States  government  pur- 
chased and  converted  it  into  the  Custom-house. 

The  square  in  Walnut,  between  Sixth  and 
Seventh  streets,  formerly  the  Potter's  Field, 
was  laid  out  in  serpentine  walks,  and  adorned 
with  trees,  in  1816-17,  and  '18,  and  has  since 
been  known  as  Washington  Square. 

The  noble  ship  Pennsylvania,  (one  of  the 
largest  in  the  world,)  was  built  in  Philadelphia, 
and  launched  on  the  18th  July,  1837. 

The  Arcade  in  Chestnut,  between  Sixth  and 
Seventh  streets,  was  built  in  1825. 

WATER  WORKS. — The  distribution  of  water 
in  pipes,  from  Centre  Square,  was  commenced 
in  1801,  and  continued  until  the  Fairmount 
water  works  were  completed  in  1822. 

The  Telegraphic  Wires  were  projected  from 
Washington  in  various  directions,  in  1846. 


APPENDIX.  287 

The  Franklin,  or  Philadelphia  Library,  was 
formed  in  1731,  and  chartered  1742.  In  1799, 
a  law  was  passed  authorizing  the  company  to 
purchase  a  lot,  and  erect  a  suitable  building  for 
their  accommodation,  which  they  did  soon  af- 
terwards, at  the  corner  of  Fifth  and  Library 
streets.  There  is  no  library  in  America  that 
has  so  large  a  collection  of  books.  It  contains 
35,000  volumes. 

The  Philadelphia  Athenaeum  was  established 
in  1814,  with  a  spacious  Reading-room,  fur- 
nished with  newspapers  and  periodicals  from 
almost  every  part  of  America,  and  many  from 
Europe.  In  another  room,  they  have  an  ex- 
tensive library  of  valuable  books,  which  they 
are  continually  increasing  by  making  additions 
of  new  and  valuable  publications.  For  their 
better  accommodation  and  more  extensive  use- 
fulness, they  laid  the  foundation  of  a  large  and 
commodious  building  in  1845,  at  the  corner  of 
Adelphi  and  Sixth  streets,  a  little  south  of  Wal- 
nut, and  which  now,  (February  1847,)  is  nearly 
completed. 

The  Mercantile  Library  Company  was  insti- 
tuted in  1821,  and  is  furnished  with  newspa- 
pers and  periodicals  from  various  parts  of  the 
United  States  and  Europe ;  also,  with  an  excel- 
lent library  suitable  for  such  an  institution.  In 
1845-6.  they  erected  an  elegant  and  spacious 
building  for  their  better  accommodation,  and 
for  public  and  private  offices,  at  the  corner  of 
Fifth  and  Library  streets.  The  building  is  an 
ornament  to  the  city. 

The  Franklin  Institute,  in  Seventh  street,  be- 
tween Chestnut  and  Market,  was  built  in  1824, 


288  APPENDIX. 

and  is  kept  well  supplied  with  newspapers,  pe- 
riodicals, and  books.  Scientific  and  other  lec- 
tures are  delivered  every  season  in  said  build- 
ing. 

On  the  5th  September,  1801,  the  foundation 
stone  of  the  Market  street  Permanent  Bridge, 
crossing  the  Schuylkill,  was  laid,  and  it  was 
completed  in  1805. 

The  American  Sunday  School  Union  was 
formed  in  1824,  and  commenced  business  in  a 
house  which  they  purchased  for  said  purpose, 
166  Chestnut  street.  The  house,  being  too  small 
for  this  extensive  and  useful  establishment,  was 
taken  down  in  1845,  and  a  large  and  commo- 
dious one  erected  in  its  place  in  1846. 

The  Deaf  and  Dumb  Asylum,  at  the  corner 
of  Broad  and  Pine  streets,  was  built  in  1825, 
and  it  has  since  been  greatly  enlarged. 

The  Orphans'  Asylum  was  founded  in 
1815,  and  the  Widow's  Asylum,  founded  in 
1818;  both  of  which  are  on  the  square  between 
Schuylkill  Fifth  and  Sixth,  and  Cherry  and 
Race  streets. 

Friends'  Asylum,  near  Frankford,  was  found- 
ed in  1815. 

The  Magdalen  Asylum  was  founded  in  1800, 
and  located  at  Schuylkill  Second  and  Race 
streets. 

St.  Joseph's  Orphan  Asylum  was  founded  in 
1817,  and  located  at  the  corner  of  Seventh  and 
Spruce  streets. 

St.  John's  Orphan  Asylum  was  founded  in 
1830,  and  is  located  in  Chestnut,  between 
Twelfth  and  Thirteenth  streets. 

St.  Mary's  Orphan  Asylum,  located  at  Fifth 
and  Pine  streets. 


APPENDIX.  289 

Pennsylvania  Institution  for  the  Blind  was 
was  founded  in  1823,  and  is  located  near  Schuyl 
kill  Third  and  Race  streets. 

Wills'  Hospital,  for  the  Lame  and  Blind,  was 
founded  in  1823,  and  is  located  near  Schuylkill 
Fifth  and  Race  streets. 

Christ's  Church  Hospital,  was  founded  in 
1785,  and  is  located  No.  8  Cherry  street. 

The  Seamen's  Friend  Society  is  located  at 
121  south  Second  street. 


Rail  Roads,  $c. 

Since  1800,  railroads  have  been  projecting 
from  Philadelphia  in  almost  every  direction. 

The  first  in  the  United  States  that  was  laid 
and  in  operation,  was  from  Philadelphia  to 
Columbia,  a  distance  of  eighty-four  miles. 

In  1832,  a  railroad  was  completed  from  Phila- 
delphia to  Bristol,  and  through  New  Jersey, 
(via  Trenton)  to  New  York;  and  another  from 
Camden  to  New  York,  via  Burlington,  Borden- 
town,  &c. 

Railroads  have  since  been  completed  from 
New  York,  via  Long  Island,  through  Connec- 
ticut, Rhode  Island,  -Massachusetts,  New 
Hampshire,  to  Portland,  Maine. 

To  the  south,  railroads  have  been  in  opera- 
tion several  years,  from  Philadelphia  through 
Delaware  to  Baltimore,  Washington  and  far- 
ther south. 

To  the  west,  they  have  also  been  in  opera- 
tion since  1794,  from  Philadelphia  to  Lan- 
caster, Harrisburg,  &c. 

25* 


290  APPENDIX. 

To  the  north,  they  have  likewise  been  in 
operation  for  many  years,  from  Philadelphia  to 
Germantown,  Manayunk,  Norristown,  Read- 
ing, Pottsville,  &c. 

In  a  few  years  a  new  railroad  will  probably 
be  laid  the  entire  distance  from  Philadelphia  to 
Pittsburgh. 

In  1756,  stages  were  first  established  as  pub- 
lic conveyances,  between  Philadelphia  and 
New  York,  and  they  were  three  days  perform- 
ing the  journey  from  city  to  city.  The  jour- 
ney is  now  performed,  per  railroad  and  cars,  in 
about  five  hours.  As  late  as  1790,  it  occupied 
ten  days  to  perform  the  journey  from  Philadel- 
phia to  Boston  in  stages;  it  now  occupies 
about  seventeen  hours,  per  railroad,  &,c. 


Steamboats. 

There  are  few  persons  in  Philadelphia,  who 
have  not  heard  or  read  something  about 
the  first  steamboat  invented  and  propelled  on 
the  Delaware  by  John  Fitch,  as  early  as  1786 
or  1788,  who,  from  want  of  means,  was  pre- 
vented from  making  such  improvements  there- 
on as  were  suggested  to  his  mind.  He,  how- 
ever, made  several  trips  in  his  boat  to  Burling- 
ton and  Bristol,  and  one  to  Trenton,  previous  to 
abandoning  his  favourite  invention,  which  has 
since  been  greatly  improved  upon,  and  which 
has  proved  such  a  public  convenience  in  facili- 
tating the  speed  of  travelling,  not  only  in  this 
country,  but  in  Europe. 

No  further  attempt  was  made  at  propelling 


APPENDIX.  291 

by  steam  until  1801,  when  Oliver  Evans,  of 
this  city,  engaged  in  the  enterprise,  and  applied 
it  to  mills,  and  then  to  wagons  and  one  small 
boat,  by  way  of  experiment ;  in  all  of  which  he 
succeeded  beyond  his  expectations.  About  six 
or  seven  years  after  Mr.  Evans'  improvements, 
Fulton  &  Livingston,  of  New  York,  had  a 
small  steamboat  built,  and  run  her  up  the 
North  River  to  Albany.  Very  soon  after  this 
successful  experiment  of  theirs,  the  steam  en- 
gine mania  commenced  and  spread  with  as- 
tonishing rapidity,  not  only  through  this  coun- 
try, but  in  Europe,  and  steamboats  have  multi- 
plied as  fast  as  they  could  be  built,  so  that  now 
(1847)  almost  every  river  and  lake  in  the  civi- 
lized world,  are  covered  therewith ;  and  for 
the  last  ten  years,  the  Atlantic  ocean  has  semi- 
monthly been  navigated  by  some  of  the  largest 
and  most  splendid  steamships  that  could  be 
built.  A  regular  line  of  six  or  eight,  has  been 
running  regularly  from  England  to  Halifax, 
Boston,  and  New  York,  and  vice  versa. 

The  steamboat  Phoenix  was  the  next  boat 
propelled  by  steam  on  the  Delaware,  (after 
John  Fitch.)  The  Phoenix -commenced  run- 
ning up  the  Delaware  in  1809 ;  she  was  owned 
by  Col.  John  Stevens.  A  few  years  after  this, 
say  from  1813  to  '20,  and  '24,  there  were  a 
number  of  steamboats  built  and  equipt  with 
every  necessary  appendage,  to  ply  regularly  up 
and  down  the  Delaware  with  passengers,  viz. 
Franklin,  Congress,  Albemarle,  Pennsylvania, 
Philadelphia,  New  Jersey,  Baltimore,  Burling- 
ton, William  Penn,  the  Eagle,  the  Trenton, 
&c.,  and  within  two  years,  the  elegant  boat 


292  APPENDIX. 

John  Stevens,  all  of  which,  in  their  days,  per- 
formed daily  trips  to  Burlington,  Bristol  and 
Bordentown,  from  early  spring  to  the  following 
winter.  For  several  seasons  the  boats  ran  up 
to  Trenton,  and  passengers  were  taken  from 
thence  in  post  coaches  to  Brunswick  and  Am- 
boy,  and  then  in  steamboats  to  New  York  un- 
til 1832,  at  which  time  the  railroad  was  finish- 
ed from  Amboy  to  Bordentown,  where  passen- 
gers were  taken  from  thence  to  New  York 
in  steamboats.  One  line  of  cars  is  still  con- 
tinued to  Amboy,  and  the  two  other  lines  take 
the  passengers  to  Jersey  city,  and  there  cross  to 
New  York  in  steam-ferry  boats. 

The  number  of  steamboats  now  on  the  Dela- 
ware, which  ply  up  and  down  and  across  the 
river,  is  fifty. 


Steamboats  Lost. 

The  steamship  Home,  from  New  York  to 
Liverpool,  with  one  hundred  persons  on  board, 
was  lost  in  L838.  • 

During  this  year  (1838)  the  following  steam- 
boats were  lost  on  the  western  waters,  viz  :  The 
Washington,  the  Franklin,  the  Ben  Sherod,  the 
the  Monmouth,  the  Moselle,  the  Oranoko,  and 
the  Pulaski,  whereby  ten  hundred  and  eighty 
human  beings  lost  their  lives. 

On  the  night  of  the  13th  of  January,  1840, 
the  steamboat  Lexington,  on  her  passage  from 
New  York  to  Stonington,  (Connecticut,)  was 
entirely  destroyed  by  fire  in  Long  Island  Sound, 


APPENDIX.  293 

whereby  one  hundred  and  fifty  persons  pe- 
rished. 

The  Atlantic  steamer  President  sailed  from 
New  York  for  Liverpool  on  the  llth  of  March, 
1841,  with  one  hundred  and  nine  persons  on 
board,  all  of  whom  perished  !  Not  one  was 
spared  to  tell  the  woful  tale.  Among  many 
other  estimable  persons,  was  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Cookman,  late  of  Philadelphia,  a  very  talented 
clergyman.  A  London  paper  of  May  3,  1841, 
said,  "  that  this  noble  ship  was  foundered,  there 
can  be  no  doubt,  and  all  on  board  perished  !" 
She  was  the  largest  steamer  ever  built,  being 
2360  tons  and  540  horse  power. 

On  the  night  of  the  26th  of  November,  1846, 
the  steamer  Atlantic,  Capt.  Dustan,  on  her  pas- 
sage from  New  London,  (Connecticut)  for  New 
York,  with  eighty  persons  on  board,  was  over- 
taken by  a  violent  storm  and  gale  in  Long  Is- 
land Sound,  by  which  she  was  wrecked  and 
stove  to  pieces  on  Fisher's  Island,  near  the 
eastern  end  of  Long  Island,  whereby  forty  per- 
sons (men,  women  and  children)  perished  ! 

We  could  here  record  the  loss  of  a  multitude 
of  other  steamboats,  particularly  on  the  western 
rivers  and  lakes,  but  our  limits  will  not  permit 
us  so  to  do. 


TABLET    OF    MEMORY, 

AND  MEMORANDUM-BOOK. 

Through  a  great  part  of  my  life,  I  have  been 
highly  privileged  in  having  recourse  to  many 


294  APPENDIX. 

public  and  private  libraries,  both  ancient  and 
modern,  and  from  whence  I  have  derived  great 
benefit,  as  I  always  endeavoured  to  have  a 
memorandum  book  at  hand,  in  order  to  note 
every  remarkable  event  or  incident  I  might 
meet  with,  that  would  be  likely  to  benefit  my- 
self or  any  of  my  fellow-beings,  and  which 
would  be  apt  to  escape  my  memory,  if  I  had 
not  adopted  such  a  procedure.  I  would,  there- 
fore, earnestly  recommend  a  like  course  to  be 
pursued  by  all  young  persons,  (both  male  and 
female)  who  are  desirous  of  storing  their  minds 
with  useful  information.  For  instance,  if  we 
should  wish  to  refresh  our  memories  as  to  the 
time  when  America  was  first  discovered.  By 
whom  ?  The  time  and  order  of  the  settlement 
of  the  different  states.  The  adoption  of  the 
Federal  Constitution.  In  what  order  it  was 
adopted  by  the  states.  The  meeting  of  the 
first  Congress,  together  with  a  great  variety  of 
other  information  respecting  the  country  of  our 
birth  or  adoption.  Or,  an  account  of  the  most 
useful  discoveries  and  inventions,  in  this  and 
other  countries,  &c.  For  these,  and  much 
other  useful  information,  we  have  only  to  turn 
to  our  tablet  of  memory  and  see  the  account. 

America  was  first  discovered  by  Columbus,  on 
the  llth  of  October,  1492;  and  by  Cabot  in  1497. 

New  England  was  first  planted  by  the  Puri- 
tans, in  1620.  On  the  20th  December,  1620, 
the  first  settlers  of  New  England  landed  at  Ply- 
mouth, (Massachusetts.) 

The  first  settlement  at  New  Hampshire  was 
at  Little  Harbour  in  1623.  It  was  partially 
united  with  Massachusetts,  (as  to  its  executive 


APPENDIX.  295 

government)  on  the  14th  of  April,  1641,  but 
again  became  an  independent  state  in  1679. 
Massachusetts  assumed  the  government  of 
Maine  in  1 668,  and  it  continued  a  part  of  that 
state  until  1820,  when  it  became  an  indepen- 
dent state. 

Boston  settled  in  1630,  and  Salem,  (Massa- 
chusetts) about  the  same  time. 

The  first  settlement  of  Maryland,  was  at  St. 
Mary's,  in  1634. 

The  first  settlement  of  Connecticut  was  at 
Wethersfield,  in  1634. 

The  first  settlement  of  New  Jersey  was  in 
1637,  by  the  Swedes. 

The  first  settlement  of  Rhode  Island  was  in 
1638. 

The  first  settlement  of  Carolina  was  at  Chow- 
an,  in  1634.  North  and  South  Carolina  were 
one  state  at  this  time.  A  division  took  place 
at  a  subsequent  period,  viz.  1728. 

The  first  effectual  settlement  of  Virginia  was 
at  Jamestown,  in  1607. 

Mexico  was  first  settled  by  Spaniards  in 
1518. 

Philadelphia  first  settled  in  1682,  and  was 
incorporated  by  the  State  Legislature  in  Octo- 
ber, 1790. 

On  the  24th  October,  1682,  William  Penn 
first  arrived  in  America,  in  the  ship  Welcome, 
and  landed  at  New  Castle,  Delaware,  with  one 
hundred  passengers.  The  next  day,  peaceable 
possession  was  given  to  him.  On  the  4th  De- 
cember, 1682,  he  called  the  first  Assembly  of 
Pennsylvania  to  meet  at  Chester,  and  passed 
several  laws.  Philadelphia  was  chartered  with 


296  APPENDIX. 

city  privileges,  and  Edward  Shippen  was  cho- 
sen the  first  Mayor,  and  Thomas  Story  the 
first  Recorder. 

Penn  crossed  the  Atlantic  twice  to  this  coun- 
try. His  last  return  from  Philadelphia  to  Eng- 
land, was  in  1701.  Soon  after  his  return,  his 
health  began  to  fail,  (although  he  lived  several 
years  afterwards,)  but  on  the  30th  July,  1718, 
he  died  at  his  seat  in  Buckinghamshire,  (Eng- 
land,) aged  74.  While  in  Philadelphia,  he  oc- 
cupied his  house  in  Lsetitia  court,  but  his  coun- 
try residence  was  in  Pennsburg,  a  short  dis- 
tance above  Bristol,  Pa. 

On  the  28th  June,  1781,  the  first  Yearly 
Meeting  of  Friends  in  America,  was  held  at 
Burlington,  N.  J.  From  1684  to  1761,  they 
met  alternately  at  Burlington  and  Philadelphia. 
Since  which  time,  their  yearly  meetings  have 
been  held  in  Philadelphia. 

The  first  newspaper  published  in  France 
was  in  1631.  The  first  published  in  England 
was  in  1642.  The  first  in  America  was  at  Bos- 
ton,- on  the  24th  April,  1704.  The  first  in  Phil- 
adelphia was  the  22d  December,  1719.  The 
first  in  New  York  was  the  16th  October,  1725. 
The  first  in  South  Carolina  was  in  1730.  The 
first  in  Rhode  Island  was  in  1732.  The  first 
in  Connecticut  was  in  1755.  And  the  first  in 
New  Hampshire  was  in  1756. 

The  first  Post  Office  established  in  France, 
was  in  1470.  The  first  in  England,  was  in 
1492.  And  the  first  in  America,  was  in  1710. 

The  first  Custom-house  established  in  Eng- 
land, was  in  1559 ;  and  the  first  Insurance  of- 
fice, was  in  1667. 


APPENDIX.  297 

The  Cape  of  Good  Hope  was  discovered  in 
1486  ;  and  the  Island  of  Ceylon  in  1506. 

China  was  first  visited  by  the  Portuguese  in 
1517;  and  by  the  English  and  French  in  1601. 

On  the  9th  August,  1787,  the  ship  Columbia, 
and  sloop  Washington,  her  tender,  sailed  from 
Boston,  for  the  north-west  coast  of  America  and 
China,  and  returned  to  Boston  in  1790,  being 
the  first  American  vessel  that  circumnavigated 
the  globe. 

The  first  vessel  built  in  Boston  was  in  1631, 
and  she  was  called  "  The  Blessing  of  the  Bay.1' 

The  study  of  Astronomy  was  first  taught  by 
the  Moors,  in  1220,  and  by  them  introduced 
into  England. 

The  first  Eclipse  that  we  can  find  recorded, 
(and  which  was  thought  something  very  won- 
derful,) was  in  720. 

From  the  3d  November,  1630,  to  the  9th 
March,  1631,  a  large  Comet  was  visible  to  the 
naked  eye,  and  approached  so  near  to  the  earth, 
as  to  cause  great  alarm. 

Tea  and  Coffee  was  first  introduced  and  used 
in  England,  in  1660. 

Coal  was  first  discovered  near  New  Castle, 
(England,)  in  1234;  and  first  used  as  fuel 
1305. 

Anthracite  coal  began  to  be  used  in  Philadel- 
phia, as  fuel,  in  1812  to  1815. 

The  first  Rice  raised  in  America,  was  in 
South  Carolina,  in  1702. 

Sugar  first  made  in  India,  in  A.  D.  620. 
Do.  "      in  Sicily,  in  1148. 

Do.  "      in  the  West  Indies,  in  1512. 

Do.  "      in  New  Orleans,  in  1790 

26 


298  APPENDIX. 

Hemp  and  Flax  first  raised  in  England  in 
1533. 

Tallow  Candles  first  invented  and  used  in 
1290. 

Gold  first  coined  in  Rome,  A.  D.  206,  and 
Silver  in  296. 

Copper  coin  first  used  in  Scotland  in  1340. 

Purnps  were  first  invented  in  England  in 
1425. 

Weights  and  measures  established  in  Eng- 
land, as  they  now  are,  in  1492. 

Hats  first  invented  and  made  in  Paris  in 
1404,  and  first  made  in  England  in  1510;  pre- 
vious to  which,  cloth  hoods  were  worn  both  by 
males  and  females. 

Engines  to  extinguish  fires  first  invented  in 
1663. 

Writing  paper  first  made  in  England  in 
1690. 

Glass  first  made  in  England  in  1557,  it  was 
previously  made  elsewhere,  as  early  as  1200, 
but  history  does  not  say  where. 

Spectacles  first  invented  in  1477. 

Telescopes  first  invented  in  1590. 

Thermometers  first  invented  in  1620. 

Barometers  first  invented  in  1643. 

Seaman's  Compass  first  invented  by  a  Dutch- 
man in  1229. 

Quadrants  first  invented  in  Philadelphia,  by 
T.  Godfrey,  but  it  is  said  that  Hadley  stole  the 
invention  from  him. 


APPENDIX.  299 

Large  Fires. 

The  largest  fire  that  ever  occurred  in  London,  commenced 
on  the  2d  September,  1666,  and  continued  four  days,  and  con- 
sumed thirteen  thousand  houses,  eighty-six  churches  and  pub- 
lic buildings.  St.  Paul's  Cathedral  was  among  the  number. 
The  buildings  were  all  destroyed  on  400  streets. 

On  the  21st  September,  1776,  while  the  British  were  in 
possession  of  New  York,  a  fire  occurred  there,  which  con- 
sumed above  1000  houses,  stores,  churches,  and  other  buildings. 

In  December  1778,  four  hundred  persons  were  burnt  to 
death  in  the  Theatre  at  Saragossa,  in  New  Spain,  during  a 
theatrical  performance. 

On  the  26th  December,  1811,  the  Theatre  at  Richmond, 
Virginia,  took  fire  during  a  theatrical  performance,  and  72 
persons  were  burnt  to  death,  among  whom  were  G.  W.  Smith, 
governor  of  the  State,  and  several  other  distinguished  charac- 
ters. 

On  the  26th  November,  1796,  a  fire  in  Savannah,  Georgia, 
consumed  two  hundred  and  twenty-nine  houses  and  other 
buildings. 

On  the  24th  Dec.  1802,  a  fire  in  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  con- 
sumed 120  buildings.  Another  fire  in  said  town,  on  the  22d 
December,  1813,  consumed  370  buildings.  And  a  third  fire 
in  that  devoted  town,  in  1845,  consumed  about  40  more. 

On  the  10th  April,  1845,  a  large  fire  occurred  at  Pittsburgh, 
Pa.,  which  destroyed  all  the  business  part  of  that  thriving  city, 
amounting  to  a  million  of  dollars.  A  fire  occurred  in  Alle- 
gheny town,  adjoining  Pittsburgh,  soon  afterwards,  which  con- 
sumed real  and  personal  property  to  the  amount  of  two  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars. 

On  the  19th  July,  1845,  a  very  large  and  destructive  fire 
occurred  in  New  York,  which  consumed  three  hundred  houses 
and  stores,  and  a  vast  amount  of  goods,  &c. ;  the  whole  esti- 
mated at  seven  millions.  It  is  said,  that  other  fires  which  oc- 
curred in  said  city,  the  same  year,  amounted  to  a  million  more. 

A  fire  at  Sacket  or  Sag-Harbour,  N.  Y.,  in  1845,  destroy- 
ed property  to  the  amount  of  two  hundred  thousand  dollars  ; 
and  one  at  Rochester,  destroyed  property  to  the  amount  of  one 
hundred  thousand  dollars.  And  during  said  year,  there  were 
large  fires  at  Albany,  Troy,  Utica,  Saratoga,  &c.,  which  con- 
sumed property  to  the  amount  of  half  a  million. 

On  the  night  of  January  21,  1847,  one  hundred  buildings 
were  destroyed  by  fire  in  Boston. 


300  APPENDIX. 

Remarkable  Earthquakes. 

Lima  was  swallowed  up  by  an  earthquake  in  1740,  and 
several  thousand  persons  perished. 

Conception,  in  Chilly,  was  swallowed  up  by  an  earthquake, 
with  all  its  inhabitants,  in  1750. 

In  1693,  one  hundred  and  forty  towns  and  villages  were 
destroyed  by  an  earthquake  in  Sicily,  and  one  hundred  thou- 
sand persons  perished. 

On  the  21st  August,  1726,  Palermo,  in  Italy,  was  destroy, 
ed  by  an  earthquake,  and  about  10,000  persons  perished. 

On  the  1st  October,  1755,  Lisbon  was  swallowed  up  by  an 
earthquake,  and  sixty  thousand  persons  perished  in  six  min- 
utes. On  the  spot  where  Lisbon  stood,  there  is  now  one  hun- 
dred fathoms  of  water. 

On  the  30th  October,  1755,  Damascus  was  destroyed  by 
an  earthquake,  with  twelve  thousand  persons. 

On  the  25th  November,  1760,  Tripoli  was  destroyed  by  an 
earthquake,  with  seven  thousand  inhabitants. 

On  the  29th  July,  1773,  Guatimala,  in  New  Spain,  was 
swallowed  up  by  an  earthquake,  with  30,000  inhabitants. 

In  1784,  twelve  thousand  persons  were  swallowed  up  by 
an  earthquake,  at  Ardchinschan,  in  Turkey. 

In  1792,  Port  Royal  sunk  into  the  sea,  with  a  part  of  its 
inhabitants.  The  dead  bodies  were  washed  ashore  in  such 
numbers,  (many  thousands,)  as  to  produce  a  pestilence,  by 
which  three  thousand  persons,  (who  had  survived  the  earth- 
quake,) died. 

On  the  4th  November,  1797,  Quito,  in  South  America,  was 
swallowed  up  by  an  earthquake,  and  forty  thousand  persons 
perished. 

In  1812,  Caraccas  was  swallowed  up  by  an  earthquake, 
with  twelve  thousand  inhabitants. 

On  the  5th  February,  1843,  there  were  several  shocks  of 
earthquake  in  several  of  the  West  India  Islands;  during 
which,  Point  Peter  was  entirely  destroyed,  and  fourteen  thou- 
sand persons  perished  in  a  few  minutes,  while  a  great  part  of 
them  were  at  breakfast. 

On  the  7th  May,  1843,  Cape  Ilaytian  was  destroyed  by  an 
earthquake,  with  seven  thousand  inhabitants. 

XII  E     END. 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 
Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


LD 


DEC  9.1  1961 


LD  21A-50m-8,'61 
(Cl795slO)476B 


General  Library 

University  of  California 

Berkeley 


Peirce.  C. 


A  meteor 
aocpunt  of 
in  Philadelphia 


ologlcal 
the  weather 


P4P4 


M178519 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


